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FKOU THt TtUI at 

KING HENRY THE THIRD^ 

TO THt 




>— CAlAtfia ACtllTlBV) tKIOMAT ILLS* 

BAKBAKICOqUB MlDAN^^ 

Cakminb dblikit.-^^ Oti>. 



LONDON: 
i^tinted Sk J. Jokksov, in St. FmiIlCIiU^ Yad^ 

M D9C xa 



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m b • •• 

• • « 

• • • • 

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• • • • 

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• • • • • 

I* • •• • 

• • • • 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



THE favorable attention which the public has con- 
ilantly (hewn to works iiluilrating the hiflory, the 
poetry, the language, the manners, or the amufements of 
their anceilors, and particularly to fuch as have profefled 
to give any of the remains of their lyric compofitions, has 
induced the Editor of the prefent volume to communicate 
a fniall bat genuine colle^ion of Ancient Songs and Bdl- 
lads, which his attachment to the fubje^ had bccadoiiali)^ * 
led him to form. 

The reader inufl not exped to £nd, among the pieces 
here preferved, either the interefting fable, or the romantic 
wiidnefs of a. late elegant publication. But, in whatever 
light they may exhibit the lyric powers of our ancient 
Bards, they will at leafl have the recommendation of eiri- 
dent and indifputable authenticity: the fources from which 
they have been derived will be faithfully referred to> and 
are, in general, public find acceffible. 

The Essays prefixed to the colledlion, and the Notes 
with which it is accompanied, will be found to contain 
fome little information, of which every one may not be 
already pofTefTed, and which may ferve to amufe at leaft 
if it fail to intereit. 

A Glossary is fubjoitiei, which the Editor regrets his 
inability to render more perfeft. ilVitKout other amilance, 
however, than what is to be fcantily gleaned from a Jfew 
printed books, he thinks he has a claim to the indulgence 
pf the more critical reader ; and they who have laboured 
in the fame fields he is perfuaded^ will be the ihoft ready 
to afford it. 



ABBRE- 



ABBREVIATIONS 
ufed in the following work. 



sp. 


ChriHas 


C 


cr. 


e 


es, is» s. 


• 


(above a letter) i« ri« 


» 


per. 


- 


(over a letter) m. n. 


* 


re, ri, r. 




th. 


9 


us> es^ 8. 



*4i** The indifcnminate ufe made of the two charaflers p and f 
may to thofe who have not paid much attention to ancient MSS* 
be apt to appear improper. But it is to be obferved, that al- 
thoueh previoufly to the fourteenth century, the tb is general!/ 
found written with the J>, yet even before that period, the p had 
bc^n to be ufed in its place, which it afterward conftantly is t 
tfiis latter chara6ler being rarely in ufe for the <w after the Con- 
queft (unlefs where the language or chara6Ver was entirely Saxon) j 
and being, on fuch occafions, ^equently diftinguiihed by a dot* 



The Reader is dcured to make the following 
CORRECTIONS. 

Page 10, y. J15. for on rend lu, 

■ loi. v. 9. and p. I oz. v. 24. make the eommazperlod% 

• 103. V. 9. d^cthcfi ^rJcolon, 

" ■ 108. V. 8. make the femicolon z period* 

»■ ■ 118. V. 15, make the period a comma. 

— *- 2o6. !• 4. for Ncw&ty read Ni<wborougb. 

»— - 332. 1. 19. dele nMi and 1. 10. the note of interro* 

gation. 

w ^26. J. ji, adde ceafi* 

— — 331. !• ix» for CbeftiT read Qbkbefiif^ 



< ' > , 



OBSERVATIONS 



ON THE 



ANCIENT ENGLISH MINSTRELS; 



I. ^"T^HE MinilrelS) by a learned, ingenious* and ele* 
X gant writer, whom there will be frequent occa- 
fion to quote, are defer ibed to be " an order of men in 
the middle ages, who united the arts of poetry and muiic, 
and fuDg verfes to the harp of their own compoiing; 
who appear to have accompanied their fongs with mi- 
micry and action; and to have pradtifed fuch various 
means of diverting as were much admired in thoie rude 
times, and fupplied the want of more refined entertain- 
ments ; whom thefe arts rendered extremely popular and 
acceptable, in this and all the neighbouring countries ; 
where no high fcene of feftivity was efteemed complete, 
that was not fet off with the exercife of their talents ; 
and, where fo long as the fpirit of chivalry fubfifted, they 
were protedled and carefTed, becaufe their fongs tended 
to do honour to the ruling pa£ion of the. times, and to 
encourage and foment a martial fpirit (■)•" This is cer- 
tainly a fine, and poilibly an unflattering defcription of 
a fet of men, who unqueftionably exifted and flourifhed 
in France for feveral centuries, and whom feveral inge« 
nious writers have contributed to render famous. Num- 

(i) Percy, Eflay on the Ancient Engli/h Minftrels (prefixtd 
toReliques of Ancient Englifh Poetry, vol. I.) p. xix. All the 
paflfages diftinguifhed by double commaSy to which there is no 
particular reference^ will be found in the Kfiity* 

\ a bers 



ii OBSERVATIONS on 

bers of thefe, no doubt, owing to the free intercourfe be- 
tween this country and the continent, fo long as the Eng- 
lifli Inonftrchs fetftined ailj^ of their NormtEin territorie.s 
were coQflantly flocking to their court and to the caftles 
of their b^ons, where it may be eaAIy believed they 
would experience the moft favorable reception. They 
were dill French, however ; and it is to be remembered, 
that if this language were not the only, it was at leail the 
ufaal one; fpoken by theEnglifh monarchs and great men 
foV (everal centuries after the conqueil ; a fad which, if 
not notorious, mufl be evident to every perfon in any de- 
gree converfant with the hiftcry of thofe times. If there- 
for, by '' Ancient Englilh MinHrels," we are to under- 
ftand a body of our own countrymen who united the arts 
of poetry and mu(ic, and got their livelihood by iinging 
verfes to the harp of their own compoiing in their na« 
five tongue, who were well known to the Saxons, " con- 
tinued a diilind order of men for many ages after the 
Norman cbnqueft," and were hofpitably and refpeSlfully 
received at the houfes of the great, all the fads, anec- 
dotes and other circumlUnces which have been colledted 
relative to the Provencal Troubadours or Norman Min- 
ilrels, however numerous or authentic, are totally foreign 
to the fubjed ; and do not even prove the mere exiilence 
of the charader fuppofed. 

The incidents referred by the above learned writer to 
the times and manners of the Anglo-Saxons, though pro- 
bably nothing more than the £dions of romance (2), do 

(2) The ftorys of Alfred and Anlaff (EiFay, p. xxv.) arc 
.evidently the fame with that of Colgrin (p. xxiv.) That the 
fables of Arthur were popular before Geoffrey of Monmouth 
published his Britifh Hiftory, feems evident, both from Alfred of 
Beverley (AnnaUsy p. 2.) and from Geoffrey himfelf, who fays, 
the adions of Arthur, and the kings who lived here before the in- 
carnation of Chrift, were celebrated by many people in a pleafant 
manner, and by heart, a& if they had been written. Thefe plea- 
santries were in all probability parts of fome French Romance, 
oi which Geoffrey had got a profe tranHation. 

not 



f to B M I N S T It £ L 8. lit 

fiot feem toreqaire examination; fince, allowing the hSts 
themfelvesy they by no means affed the queftion propofed 
to be here confidered, which is> Whether at any time» 
fiace the Norman Conqueft, there has exiHed a diftinft 
order of Englifh men^ whd united the arts of poetry and 
inuiic> and got their livelihood by iinging to the harp 
verfes in their native tongue of their own compoHng t 
And if the elucidation of an obfcure and incerefting fuD- 
je€t, or the attainment of juft and diftind ideas of ancient 
charadters and manners^ be an object of any confequence^ 
the difcuffion of this queflion will not be impertinent or 
ufelefs. 

It is admitted that no '' very particular faft concern* 
ing the Minftrels>" is to be met with till we come down 
to the reign of Richard the Firft; ** and under him their 
profeflion feems to have revived with additional fplen- 
dour.'* This monarch, " who was the great reftorer and 
here of chivalry, was alfo the diftinguifhed patron of 
poets and minftrels : he was himfelf of their number, and 
ibme of his verfes are ftill extant.*' Thefe verfet^ how- 
ever, we find to be all in French or Proven9al ; but ftill 
*< the diftindlion whi<;h kichard fhewed to men of this 
profeffion, although his favours were chiefly heaped upon 
foreigners, could not but recommend the profeflion itfelf 
Among his own fubjeAs ; and therefore we may conclude 
that Engliih Minflrelfy would, in a peculiar manner, 
Hourifli in his time." It fliould however feem altogether 
as^juft and natural a concluflon from the premifles, that 
lance he cannot be difcovered in a Angle inftance to have 
ihewn his favours to any but foreigners, Englifii Muu 
£relfy did not in his time flourifli at all. 

The adventure of this king and his Norman Min» 
ftrel, Blondel de Nefle, fo elegantly dramatized by liiff. 
Sedaine,r whatever honour it may be thought to confer 
npon poets or their art, certainly makes nothing in favour 
of the Englifli Minflrels, whofe exiflence is dill left unde- 
cided. 

a z Th« 



T OBSERVATIONS ok 

The next memorable event which is foand in hiftory 
concerning the Minftrels, and is '* much to their credit,'' 
was their refcaing one of the great earls of Chefter, when 
beiieged by the Welfli. ** This happened in the reign 
of king John (3), and is related as follows : 

'* Hugh the firft earl of Cheder, in his charter of foun- 
dation of St. Werburg's abbey in that city, had granted 
fuck a privilege to thofe, who fhould come to Chefler 
fair, that they (hould not be then apprehended for theft 
or any other mifdemeanor, except the crime were com- 
mitted during the fair. This ipecial protedlion caufed 
multitudes of loofe and diforderly people to refort to that 
fair ; which afterwards proved of fignal benefit to one of 
his fuccefTors. For Ranulph, the laft Earl of Chefler [of 
that name], marching into Wales with a ilender attend- 
ance, was conflrained to retire to his caftle of Rothelan, 
or Rhuydland; in which he was flraightly beiieged by the 
Welfh. Finding himfelf hard pre&d, he contrived to 

five notice of his danger to Lord Roger (or John) de 
acy, Conftable of Chefter, who, making ufe of the Min- 
strels then afTembled at Chefter fair : Thefe men, likb 

aO MANY TYRTJBUS'S, BY THBIR MUSIC AND THEIR 
SONGS 80 ALLURED AND INSPIRED the multitudes of 

loofe and lawlefs perfons then brought together, that they 
relolutely marched againft the Welm : H«gh de Dutton, 
a gallant youth, who was ileward to Lacy, putting him- 
felf at their head* The Welfli, alarmed at the approach 
of this rabble» fuppofing them to be a regular body of 
armed and difciplined veterans> inflandy raifed the iiege 
and retired." 

*' For this good fervice, Ranulph granted to the Lacies^ 
by charter, sL peculiar patronage over men of this fort: who 
devolved the fame again upon Dutcon and his heirs. And 
the Minstrels, his affiilants, enjoyed for many ages pe- 

(3) « Vid, Dugdale, (Baronage, vol. i. p. 42. lOi.) who 
places it after the 13th year of K. Joh. Anno Dom. iai».— 
See alfo Camden's Britannia, Plott's Staifordfli. &c/* 

cnliar 



I'lRt MI KS T.R EL & 

Cflfdaf hc^tooars iMd fthn^ga umter the defeendmls of that 

I Tht sbo^e rektion is iti the EffnEf maHced with doable 
eoidinas, oj a flotation, but the only reference to any au* 
fhority is chat indiredUy made in the note ; and it is cer* 
tain» that the writers, there mentioned* give little coiia- 
tenance to a remarkable paffage> introduced, it ihould feem^ 
by the learned eflayift, to ferve the pnrpofe of an hypothefift^ 
which, by this time perhaps, he begun to perceive woul4 
need more fupport than any author ancient or m^lern wat 
ready to afford. 

The fiory is thus told, by a writer who cannot be fuf- 
pedled of a defign to render the adors lefs refpedlable than 
he found theni reprefented. , 

" This Randle (4), among the many confli£ls he had witk 
the Welfh, t • • • was diSrefTed by ' them,' and forced 
to retreat to the cafUe of Rothelent, in Flintfhire, about 
the reign of king John, where they beiieged him : he pre- 
fently fent to his conflable of CheQiire, Roger Lacy, fir* 
named Hell, for his fierce fpirit, that he would come with 
all fpeed, and bring what forces he could towards his relief! 
Roger, having gfithered a tumultuous rout of fid lb a 6, 

PLAYBRS, COfiLERS, DEBAUCHED PERSONS, both men 

and women, out of the city of Chefter (for 'twas then the 
fair-time in that city), marcheth immediately towards the 
earl. The Welfli, perceiving a great multitude coming, 
faifed their Bege and fled. The earl, coming back with his 
conflable to Chefler, gave him power over all the pidlbr9 
and SHOEMAKERS in Chefter, in reward and memory of 
this fervice. The conflable retained to himfelf the autho- 
rity and donation of the shoemakers, but conferred the 
authority of the fidlers and players on his fteward» 
which then was Dutton of Dutton (4.*)." j,» 

(4) The Third, fumamed Blundevil, fixth earl of Chefbr, 
(4*) Sir Peter Leycefters Hiftorical Antic^uities, p. 141. Sec 
aHb Biounts Ancient Tenures, P. 156. — Sir W. Dugdade only 
tells tis, that die earl in his diftrefs " fent to the conftable of 
phcfter for help : who, making ufe of the Minjhrels of aUforts, 
^len met at Chefter f«r| by the allurements of thei in^c^ got to- 

a 3 getiber 



^i OBSERVATIONS om 

The wordf of the grant to Datton are> ** Magtfterimm 
$mnium leccatorum i^ meretricium totius Ceftrt" 
Jhirtt ficut libtriut ilium magifterium temo dt comite ; JoI'vb 
jure meo mihi ^ heredibus nuts (5)." No mention is made 
of Fidlers or MinftreU ; we mull therefore prefume them 
CO have palTed as an appendage or appurtenance to the 
whores and letchers^ for whofe diverfion this refpeftable 
order of men, ** who united the arts of poetry and mufic^ 
and fung verfes to the harp of their own compofing/* 

eether a vaft nnmber of fuch loofe people, as by reafon of the be- 
fore fpecified privilege, were then in that city, whom he forthwith 
fent under the conduct of Dutton (his fteward) towards Rothelan.'* 
Baronage, i. 101. He refers to the Hiftory of Cambria, by D. 
Powel, f, 196. And, though he allows this might have been 
done as was repotted in the time of Roger conftable of Chelter,, 
fays, it is molt certain that it was Jobn, his fon, who had the pa- 
tronage of that rabble given him by the earl, and thereupon grant- 
ed the fame to Hugh de Dutton. 

The words of Camden ai-e, that << this family [of Dutton], 
by an old cuftom, hath a particular authority over all pi/>ers,Jid» 
ItrSf and harpers of this county, ever Hnce one R* Dutton, with 
m rabble of fuch men, refcued Ranulf, the laft earl of Chelter, 
&c.'* Britannia, in Cbejbire. His authority is a " Chronicom 
Walli^t^^ by which he doubtlefs means Powells Hiftory, where the 
ftory feems to have originally appeared. All that this writer fays 
is, that <* Ralph [r. Hugh] Dutton, < Lacys' fon-in-law, being a 
luftie youth, aflembled togither all the plaiers, musicians, and 
MBRIB COMPANIONS in the citie (being then the fair time) and 
came to the conltable, who forthwith went to Ruthlan, railed 
the fiege, and deliuereil the earle from danger. In recompence of 
Which feruice, the earle gaue vnto his conltable diuers freedoms 
mnd j^riuileges, and granted vnto the faid Dutton, the ruling and 
ordenng of all the plaiers and muficians within that countie, which 
his heire enioytth euen unto this day.'* Hilt, of Cambria, 1 5S4, 
p. 296. 

(5) ^g* Baro. i. loi. Sir P. Leycefters Hiftorical Antiqui- 
ties, p. 141. 351. This author fuppoies <* the rout which the 
conitab-e brought to the refoiing of the earl were dtbauchtd fer» 
Jkms drinking with their fweetliearts in the fair, JUUrs, &c." 
And oblerves, t'lat •« the cuftom fcems to have Ixjen altertd to the 
JUUrs, as neceflary attendants on reveUers in bawJj-bompes and 
imverns.^^ h appears, Itowevcfj from DuCj|nge*t Gloflary, mat 
Ltaatores may mean bmfonu. 

1 were 



- !• 



THE MINSTRELS. tU 

were moft mikrMy twanging and fcraping in the booths 
of Cheiler fair. 

True it is, that in the i i.th year of king Henry VII, 
Laurence Dutcon, lord jof Dutton (in anfwer to a fi$o 
•tuarraniOy en behalf of prince Arthur, as earl of Chefter} 
claimed that all Minftrels inhabiting, or exercifing theijf 
ofice, within the county and city of Chefter, ought to ap- 
pear before him, or his lie ward, ac Chefler, at the fead of 
St. John Baptift yearly, and fhould give him at the faid 
feaft four flagons of wine, and one lance; and alfo every 
Minilrel fhould pay him four pence halfpenny, at the 
£^d feail ; and to have from every whore, refiding and 
cxercifing her office within the county and city of Cheder. 
four pence yearly, at the feail afprefaid ; for all whi^ja 
ke pleaded prefcriptioh (6). 

It is like.wife admitted, that, the Duttons were woat 
to keep a court tytry year upon the above feafl, being 
che fair day, where all the Minilrels of the county and 
fity did attend and play before the lord of Dutton, or 
liis fteward, upon their feveral instruments, to and from 
divin/e fervice i after which, the old licences granted to th.e 
Mindrels were renewed, and fuch new ones granted .'as h^e 
thought fit, none prefuming to exercife that faculty with- 
out licence (7) ; and that this privilege has been excepted 
in many ads of parliament, whereby MinHrels have been 
declared, and direded to be puniihed as rogues, vaga- 
bonds, and (lurdy beggars. 

In Uie reign of Edward I. it feems, a multitude oj^ 
MINSTRELS are exprefsly mentioned to have given their 
attendance in his court, at the fole^in ad of knighting 
his fon. This is fuificiently credible, but will ,by no 
means prove them to have been Englilhmen, 'who united 
the arts of poetry and muiic, and fung vttki to the harp 
of their own compoiing. 

(6) Blounts Ancient Tenures, 1679. — Law Didionaryi v. 
Minftrel. 

(7) Blounts Ancient Tenures. 

a 4 The 



viii OBSERVATIONS on 

The woman whom Stow relates to have entered into 
Weflminfter Hall, adorned like a minstrel^ fitting on 
a great horfe trapped a^ minstrels then ufed, who rode 
round about the tables, Jhenuing faftimt^ and at length 
came up to the king and delivered a letter, had evi- 
dently aiTunved the character of a tumbler or tomhieften, 
the profeflion, we find, of females, in the time of Chaucer. 
Stow might tranflate the word bifirio by Minftrel properly 
enough, without meaning one who fung to the harp ; for 
lie undoubtedly knew, both that the word had no fuch im- 
plication, and that women never fung to the harp. 

In the fourth year of Richard II. John of Gaunt 
ordained a king of the Minftrels (Roy dts Miniftraulx ) 
within his honor of Tutbury in StaiFordihire, to whom 
he gave power to take and arreft all the Minftrels within 
that honor who (hould refufe to make their fervices and 
minftralcie, &c. In virtue of this grant, a court of Min- 
ftrels ufed to be kept, where defaulters were amerced, and 
fome other proceedings had, till the latter end of the 
lad century. Now the Minftrels, to whom a fovereign 
was thus given, could have been only the retainers to the 
caftle and honor of Tutbury, or in other words, the 
duke's band of mufic; and this monarch perhaps was a 
fort of maeftro di captlla* Dr. Plot, who was prefent at 
one of the mindrel courts, has left us a pretty full ac- 
count of the whole ceremony ; but in his time, the EfTay 
allows, the Minftrels *' appear to have loft their finging 
talents, and to have become mere muficians." As Kojing^ 
ing tahntSy it is moft likely they never pofiieffed any ; and 
what fort of mujicians they were, may be in fome meafure 
conceived from a part of the ceremony which the EfTayift 
has carefully and judicioufly fuppreffed. After the court 
was over, the fteward to the duke of Devonfhire, as re- 
prefentative of the prior of Tutbury, ufed to deliver a bull, 
prepared for the occafion, and turn him loofe among the 
Minftrels— -among thofe refpedtable characters who united 
the arts of poetry and mulic, and Tung verfes to the harp 
of their own compofing 1-— and, if ihey fucceeded in their 

endeavours 



THE M I N S T RE L S. Ix 

endeavours to take h?m before he got over the Dove, he 
was brought to the flake» and baited for their fu/.ther di^ 
verfion. The whole of this infamous buiinefs was at- 
tended with circumflances of the moil (hocking and brutal 
barbarity, which it would be difgufting to repeat, and 
which a fidler or ballad-finger of the' prefent times {low 
as the profeflion may be now funk) would fcorn to coun- 
tenance (8). 

Such was the famous bull rvnninq op Tutbury^ 
or, if Dr. Percy will have it, court of minstrels, 
of which one of that profeffion thus fpeaks, in the afTumed 
charader of the roy d£8 ministraulx, long before 
Dr. Plotts time : , 

This battle was fought near Tutbury town, 
• When the bagpipes baited the bull, 
Pm KING op THE Midlers, and fwear tis atrath. 

And call him that doubts it a gull. 
For I faw them fighting, zxidi fiddled the while, &c. (9), 



<c 



Even fo late as the reign of Henry VIII. (it is ob- 
ferved) a ilated number of Minftrels were retained in 
all great and noble families, as appears from the edablifh- 
ment of the houfehold of the then earl of Northumber- 
land." 

<' Item, Mynstrals in houfhold iij, viz. a taheret, a 
lujte, and ar^^^cr (10)." But this furely cannot be pro- 

(g) See Plotts StafFordlhire, p. 435. — Blounts Ancient Te- 
nures, p. 1 67. 

(9} Robin Hood^s Garland, Song I. 

(10) Eflay, p. Ixxiv. In the celebration of Chriftmas, Sir 
J. Hawkins i'2Lys,Jidlers were deemed (o ncceflary, that in the 
houfes of the nobility, they were retained by fmall ftipends, as 
alfo cloaks and badges, with the cognizance or arnns of the fa- 
mily, like certain other domeftic feivanti. From the houfes of 
great men, to wakes, fairs, and other afiemblies of the common 
people, the tranfition of thefe vagrant artiiis was natural. Hift. 
Mufic, iv. 382* 

duced 



X OBSERVATIONS ok 

doced to prove, that thefe Mynftrals were an order of 
men who united the arts of poetry and mufic» and fung 
verfes to the harp of their own compofing. How- 
ever this may be, " the Minflrels," we are told, <* con- 
tinued down to the reign of £lizabeth ; in whofe time 
they had loft mach of their dignity, and were finking in- 
to contempt and negiedt." As to dignity ; it is pretty 
clear they never had any to lofe, and if we find them 
treated with contempt and negledt, it is becaufe we are 
now become better acquainted with them, and do not 
view them through the medium of Ducange or Fon- 
tenelle. 

*' Still," however, '* they fuftained a charafler far fu- 
perior to any thing we can conceive at prefent of the 
Angers of old ballads ;" or rather of the players Qn fiddles ; 
for we have hitherto only foand them to be muficians ; 
not a fong hat a fingle one of them been yet proved to 
have fung. 

A paffage, quoted b^ the EfTayift (p.xxxv.)» from a 
writer of this period, gives us, it mufl be confeiTed, a dif- 
tin£t idea of the charader he d^cribes ; but it is evi- 
dently of a character that exided only in the imagination 
of thofe who contrived the device or pageant in which 
he is introduced, and who had met with him in Morte 
ArthuTy which appears to have been well ftudied for the 
occafion(i}* If Minftrels had been common, a rbal 

qne 

(i) That a Minfti'cl or Tinging harper is a very ufcful pcr- 
fonage in this ancient and popular romance, will appear from 
the ioUowing antcdote. Sir Lancelot being in a violent pafHon, 
on account v^ a threatning abuAve letter which king Marke 
of Comewflile had fcnt to queen Guenever, wherein he •* fpake 
ihame by her, and by Sir Lancelot ; ** Sir Dinadan, to comfort 
him, bids him " fet right nought by all thefe thrcatnings, for 
king Marke * was * fo vilanous, that by faire fpeach < (hould * 
neuer no man get ought of him ; but (continues he) yee (hall 
fee what I Hiall doe, I will make a lay for him, and when it is 
inade> I (hall make an harper to (Tng it before him. So anon 

bee 



THE M I N S T R E L S. xi 

one wo«M have been procured, and not ** one perfonat* 
log that charadcr." 

•' Towards the end of the fixtecnth century, this clafs of 
ipen had loH all credit, and were funk folow in the pu- 
blic opinion, that, in the 39th year of Elizabeth, a (latiUe 
was pafTed, by which '* M'w^rtU wandering abroad^*^ 
were included among '* rogues, vagabonds, and Aurdf 
beggars," and were adjodged to be puniihed as fudi* 
" Thrs a£t ieems to have put an end to the pxofeiEon, for 
after this time they are no longer mentioned." 

Of the language of this flatute, the Minftrels ihoal4 
not feem to have had much to complain, as vagabond wa^ 
SL title to which the^profeiTion had been long accuiioou 
ed(2). 

II. fa 

hee went and made it, and taught it an harper, that hyght Elyot, 

and when bee could it, hee taught it to many harpers. And 

fo . . . the harpers went ftraight vnto Wales and Cornewaile to 

iing the lay, • . . which was the worft lay that euer harper 

fung with harpe, or with any other inftiumeRt. And [at] the 

great feaft that king Marke made for ioy of the viftorie which 

iieehad, becanfe the SeiToines were put but of his countrey, came 

'Eliot the harper ; . . . . and becaufe he was a curious harper, 

men beard bim (ing the fame lay that Sir Dinadaii had made, 

the which fpake the moik vilanie by king Marke, of his treaibn, 

that euer man heard. When the harper had fung his fong to the 

end, king Marke was wonderous wroth with him, and faid, Thau 

harper, how durft thou be fo bold on thy head to fmg this fong 

before me ? Sir, faid £liot, wit you well I am a minstrell, 

and I muft doe as I am commanded of thefe lords that I beare the 

armes of. And Sir king, wit you well that Sir Dinadan, a kni^^ht 

of the round table, made this fong, and he made me to ^ng 

it before you. Thou laieft well, faid king Marke, I charge thee 

that thou hie thee fall out of my fight. So the harper dcpartcdj^ 

&c. But for to fay that king Marke was wonderous wroth, he 

was. Part II. c. 113. (Ed. 1634). See alfo part III c. 5. 

(2) ** Item pur efchuir plufeurs dijeafes & mef chiefs qont ad' 
wenu9^ de*vant ces ^heures en la terre de Gales ^ par plufeur^ 
nvejfours rpnours ministralx, Sf autres vacabondes, «f-^ 
^nez eft^ ^r." Stat. 4.. H. IV. c. 17. 



m OBSERVATIONS oic 

• 

JL It is foxnewhat remarkable, that we have yet fees 
no authority which (hould induce one to think, that there 
ever was a fingle Englifhman, who " united the arts of 
poetry and mufic, and fung verfes to the harp of his own 
compofing ; " nor in fad is any fuch authority to be 
found. If thofe writers who have become the hiftorians 
or panegyrifts of the Provencal troubadours, or the French 
Minftrels, had been pofTefTed of no better evidence than 
we are, the mere exiitence of fuch a body would not 
have been at prefcnt known. The tenfons, the Jir^venUs, 
tht paftoureliis of the former, the lais^ contes, SLud/a^Iiaux 
of the latter are innumerable, and not only prove their 
cxiftence, but aiFord fufHcient materials for their defcrip- 
tion and hidory. But this is by no means the cafe with 
the " Ancient Engliih Minllrels," of whom it is not pre- 
tended that we have any thing more than a few rude 
ballads, which prove nothing lefs than their origin* 
Not a iingle piece is extant in which an Englifh Min- 
itrtl fpeaks of himfelf ; whereas, the importance Or va- 
nity of the French Minftrel, for ever leads him to intro- 
duce himfelf or his profeiTion, and to boafl of his feats 
and his talents. That there did exift in this country an 
order of men called Minflrels, is certain ; but then it is 
equally clear, that the word was never ufed by any Eng- 
liih writer, for " one who united the arts of poetry and 
mufic, and fung verfes to the harp of his own compof* 
ing/* before the ingenious writer fo often quoted ; but. 

It might not be long after the paiHng of the above afl again (I 
the Minftrch, that Dr. Bull wrote fatyrical verfes upon them, of 
which, part of the firft (lanza (if the reader will pardon a quo- 
tation from memory) is as follows : 

When Jefus went to Jairus' houfe, 
# • • • • 

^ He turnM the Minftrels out of doors, 

Among the rafcal company i 
Beggers they are with one confent. 
And Rogues by a^ of parliament* 

on 



THE MINSTRELS. 

on the contrary, that it ever implied an inflrumental 
performer, and generally a fidler, or fach like bafe muii* 
cian. 

To begin with the Glofllirifts : Sir Henry Spelman ex- 
plains the word •* Minftreiy by *' fidicen, tibiani*' 
Blount, by " a mufician, a (idler ;" Cotgrave tranflates 
meneftraudiert " a minilrell or fidler ;" and Minfliew fays, 
that " Minftrel," is in German, •* etnfdltr,*' 

The ** Minftrells '^ of the kings houfehold, in the 
time of Edward Uf, -were ** trompeters, cytelcrs, pypers^ 
tabrete, roabrers, clarions, fedeler, wayghtes (3).'' 
. An old chronicler, fpeaking of the battle of Halidoa 
Hill, in this reign, obferves, that '* the Englifshe mjm^ 
ftralu blewe hir trumpes and Vxx pipes ^ and hidoufly aftrede 
the Scottis." (MS. Harh 26^). 

The •' Minftrels " of king Edward IV. were mufici- 

ans, '* whereof fome ' were ' trompets, fome with the 

Jhalmes 2LXid fmalU pypes,2itid fome ilrange mene eomio^ 

to ' the ' court at iyvt 'feafles of the year, and then take 

their wages, . . . after iiij. d. ob. by daye. Sec, (4).'* 

Thofe of the earl of Northumberland, in the time of 
king Henry VIII. we have already feen were *' a tablet, 
a luyte, a rebecc.*' 

And in a lift of the houfehold muHcians of king Ed* 
ward VI. we find ** trumpeters. Inters, harpers, fingers^ 
Kbeck fagbutts, vyalls, bagpiper, minstrelles, drom-. 
flades, and players on the flutes and virginals (5).*' 
The particular office of the Miuilrels does noc indeed ap- 
pear ; but it mud be evident, that they were not fingers 
to the harp* 

Skelton, laureat, treats the character with the utmoft 
contempt : 

(3) Hawkins's Hift. Mufic, ii. \o'j.'-^Wayghtes were players 
4»n hautboys or other pipes during the night 3 as they are in 
many places at this day. See 291. 

(4) Hawkins's Hilt. Mufic, \\\ 290* 

(5) Ibid. ill. 479. 

- • This 



nW OBSERVATIONS on 

This Dodtor Dellias commenced in a cart, 
A maflcr, a mynfirel, a fydUr^ a fart (6). 

It fhould feem, by the way, that tfie MinftrtU of this sera 
had a drefs to diilinguifh their profefllon. The company, 
defcribed by the author whofe words are quoted, beinr 
feated in a tavern, "in comes a noife •/ muficians^ in 
TAWNEY COATS, who taking oiF their caps, aiked if they 
would have any music ? The widow anfwered. No; they 
were merry enough. Tut, faid the old man, let ui hear, 
good fellows, what you can do ; and flay mb. The be* 
giuning of the 'world ( 7 ) . " 

In the old morality of Lufty Ju*ventus^ written and 
printed in the time of king Edward VI. Youth fays. 

Who knoweth where is a mynjlrell? 

By the mafTe, I would fayne go daunce aftte* 

Again : 

Well I met father, well I met ; 
Dyd you here anyc mynJlnU playe? 

Good CounceL What would you with the minfirell do f 
Jwventus, Nothyng, but haue a daunce or two. 

Thus too, in an ancient poetical tradt, entitled the Tam^ 
ing of a Shre'^ ; or the Wife lapped in MoreU Skin, 410; 
(fig. c. i.) 

The mynftrelles played at every borde. 

(6) Againft a comely coyftrowne, &c. Works, p. 256. 
* (7) H'fiory of Jack of Neiubury^ by The. Delony. The timet 
referred to, are thofe of king Henry VIII. The widow being 
importuned to drink to fuch one of the company as (he loved 
belt, fays, ** with this cup of claret and Aigar, I heartily drink to 

the MINSTRELS BOY.'' 

A noifi ofmuficiansy was a company of them. In the fecond 
tart of King Henry IV, Aft II. Scene IV. One of the drawers 
sids his fellow fee if he can find out ^* Sneak's /r^i/^ 5 ^* Mrs. 
Tcar^eet being deiirous to have fomc tnufic*^\ ' 

Spcnfer, 



THB M I N S T R ELS. zr 

1 

Spenfer, in his Spitbalamium, gives i very accurate de* 
fcription of them : 

Hark, how the Mimfirils gin to Jbrill aloud 
Their mirry mufick that refounds from far. 
The piptt che taker, and the tremhlsng cromdp 
That well agree withouten breach or iar* 
l^at mod of all the iamxiU doe delite, ^ 
When they their tymbreU fmite, 
And thereunto doe davnct and earroll fweet. 
That all the fe'nfes they doe rauifh quite (8). 

In the pleafant hiftory of Thomas of Readings men- 
tion is made of one Rahere\(a pleafant witty gen tleman^ 
according to Stow, and who, as he fays, founded thd 
priory of St. Bartholomew, in Smith field, about the year 
.1103) with this additional circumftance, that he was n 
great mufidan, and kept a company of Minflrels, i. #• 
fidlers, who played with iilver bows (9). 

In Follii*s Anatomiti ty H. Mutton, Dunelmenfis, 1618^ 
8yo. is an Epigram, which begins, 

Shouldring a Minftull in a lane, I broke 
His miolU cafe. 

Laftty, by an ordnance of the Commonwealth, in 1656, 
ۥ21. It was ena^ed, ** that if any perfon or perfons^ 
commonly called fidlbrs or minstrels, (hall at any 

(<€) Thus too, Chaucer In the Romaunt of the Rofe : 

There wks many a timbeftere. 
And ralio\irs, that I dare well fwere 
^ Couth her craft full periitly : 
The timbres up full fubtilfy 
They caft, and hent full oft 
Upon a finger faire and foft, &c. 

ft 

Thefe timbrels are the tambour de bafque^ an inilrument.of tlie 
greateft antiquity, 
<9) HaWk. Hift, Mufic, lii. 85. ' ^ 

' time 



srl OBSERVATIONS on 

time be taken playing, filling, and making mufick^ in any 
Inn, Alehouje, or Tavern, or (hall be taken proffering 
themfelves, or deiiring, or in treating any perfon or per- 
fons to hear them play or make mufick, in any the places 
aforefaidy tytry Aich perfon or perfons, (o taken, ihall be 
adjudged 9 and are hereby adjudged and declared to be 
rogues, vagabonds, and fturdy beggers.'* 

After this, the word Minftrel was fcarcely ever men- 
tioned (unlefs in dictionaries or vagrant a6ls) till it ap- 
peared with fuch eclat in the Effay prefixed to the Re- 
liques of Ancient EngliHi Poetry. 

III. That there were individuals formerly, who made 
it their bufinefs to wander up and down the country 
chantine romances, andiinging fongs and ballads to the 
harp, fiddle, or other more humble and lefs artificial in- 
ftrument, cannot be doubted. Thefe men were in all pro- 
bability comprehended within the general term of Min- 
ftreU, but are by no means to be exclufively diflinguiihed 
by that title % and indeed were generally denominated 
from the particular inflrumentson which they performed. 
It may be eafily imagined, that many of thefe people^ 
though entirely dellitute of education, and probably un- 
able either to write or read, poffeffed the talent of in- 
venting hillorical or legendary fongs, which would fome- 
times have merit; but ic is to be obferved, that all the min- 
ftrel fongs which have found their way to us, are merely 
narrative; nothing of pallion, fentiment, or even defcrip- 
tion, being to be difcovered among them. Men equally 
Ignorant, have in all ages and in all countries, been pof- 
fefifed of the fame talent, and fuch a character is only rare 
at prefent, becaufe it is become more difficult to pleafe. 
It is however worthy of remark, that ifo Englifh Minftrel 
was ever famous for his compofition or bis performance ; 
nor is the name of a fingle one preferved. And it has 
been fcen, that we only commence our acquaintance with 
thefe 'Minftrel-fongfters, when '< they had loft all credit, 
and were finking into contempt and negledl." It will 
be conceived, that in rude and barbarous times, men who 

contributed 



tHE MINSTRELS. MS 

cdhtril>uted to the general amafement of the common 
people^ were held in much greater eilimation than they 
are at prefent ; and that two or three centuries ago« tho 
wooden wit of old England was a much more welcfome 
vifitant in many a populous city, than even a Garrick ot 
a Siddons would be in the prefent age« The art of print* 
ing was fatal co the Miniirels who fung ; people begun to 
read, and, unfortunately for the Minilrels, their com- 
pofitions would not bear reading; of courfe not above one 
or two of them ever got to the prefs : the fbngs ufed by 
the ballad-fingers, on the contrary, were fmooch and re- 
gular, were all printed, and, what was much more to their 
advantage, were generally united to a fimpie but pleafing 
melody, which was eafily acquired, and any one could 
fing; whereas the Minilrels fongs were without tune, 
and could not be performed, even by themfelves, without 
the twang of a harp, or the fcrape of a fiddle. Thefe 
two (not to fpeak of the cultivation of poetry and mufic 
by perfons of genius and learning) feem to have been the 
principal caufes of the rapid decline of the Minflrel pro* 
ieilion, fince the time of queen Elizabeth, though it is 
conceived that a few individuals refembling the cha* 
radler might have been lately, and may pofiibly be dill 
found in ibme of the lead polifhed or lefs frequented parts 
of the kingdom. It is not long fince that the public pa- 
pers announced the death of a perfon of this defcription 
fomewhere in Derbyfhire, and another was within thefe 
two years to be feen in the flrcets of London ; he played 
on an inflrument of the rudeil conflruction, which he, 
properly enough, called a hum-ftrum^ and chanted (amongft 
others) the old ballad of Lord Thomas and Fair Eleanor^ 
which, by the way, has every appear<(nce of being ori- 
ginally a Minflrel fong. It is not improbable that a 
Minflrel being fo rare a charafler at this day,, is in a 
great meafure owing to the puritanical innovations of the 
lafl and latter part of the preceding, century, and parti- 
cularly to the abolition offports or public amufementson 
Sunday afccrooons^ which a fpirit of Calviniflical bigotry 

b fiill 



xviii OBSERVATIONS on 

dill teaches groveling ndnds to think repugnant to reli- 
gion. 

Dr. Percy, though he admits, that as the Minilrels 
art ** declined, feme of them only recited the compofi- 
tions of others," fays, that " many of them ftill compofed 
fongs, and all of them could probably invent a few 
flanzas upon occaiion." He 4ias no doubt but mod of 
the old heroic ballads^ printed in his own colledion, 
*' were compofed by this order of men." In another 
place he fays, that ** the artlefs produdions of thefc old 
rhapfodifls, are [in his work] occafionally confronted with 
fpecimen^ of the compoiition of contemporary poets of a 
higher clafs : of thofe who had all the advantages of 
learning in the times in which they lived, and who wrote 
for fame and pofterity. Yet perhaps the palm will be 
frequently due to the old flrolling Mindrels, who com- 
pofed their rhimes to be fung to their harps, and who 
looked no farther than for prefent applaufe and prefent 
fubfiAence." 

The ballads which Dr. Percy is inclined to refer to the 
Minilrels, are thofe in which a reader will obferve /* a 
call of flyle and meafure very different from that of con- 
temporary poets of a higher clafs ; many phrafes and 
idioms, which the Minilrels feem to have appropriated to 
themfelves, and a very remarkable licence of varying the 
accent of words at pleafure, in order to humour the flow 
of the verfe, particularly in the rhimes ; as 

Countru harplr battll morning 

Ladle fi^g^^ damsel loihng 

inftead of country ^ lady, harper, singer, Scc.*^ — This liberty 
feems however to have been '* fparingly affumed by the 
claflical poets of the fame age ;" and '* the latter com- 
pofers of heroical ballads." The old Minftrel ballads 
are likcwife *' in the northern dialed, abound with an- 
tique words and phrafes^ are extremely incorred, and 
run into the utmoil licence of metre ; they have alfo a 
romantic wildncfs, and are in the true fpirit of chivalry." 
It is alfo obfervcdf ** that fo long as the Minilrels fub- 
4 • fifled. 



tHB MINSTRELS. fe 

lifted, they feem never to have defigned their rhimes for 
literary publication, and probably never committed them 
to writing themfelves : what copies are preferved of them 
were doubtlefs taken down froui their own mouths.*' 

This being the cafe, it ought not to have been a -mat- 
ter of v^onder if not a fingle fpecimen of.thefe Minftrcl 
rhimes had defcended to us. Jt is rather a fubjeft of 
alloniihment, that we (hould be polFcfled of fuch a number. 
Dr. Percy had the good fortune to meet with *' an an- 
cient folio manufcript, which contains near 200 poems» 
fongSy and metAcal romances, i his MS. was written 
about the middle of the lail century, but contains com- 
pofitions of all times and daces, from the ages. prior to 
Chaucer, to the conclufion of the reign of Charles I.'* 
And' from this MS. the greater part of the contents of 
the above colledion, particularly the Alinitrei ballads, arei 
faid to be extracted . 

This MS. is 'doubtlefs the moft (ingular thing of th6 
kind that was ever known to exifl. How fuch a multi- 
farious colledtion could poflibly have been formed fo latd 
as the year 1650, of compofitions from the ages prior to 
Chaucer, moil, if not all of which had never been printed, 
is fcarcely to be conceived by thofe verfcd in ancient MSS. . 
a fimilar inilance perhaps not being to be found in any . 
library public or private. This MS, to increafe its fingu- • 
larity, no other writer has ever pretended to have feen. 
The late Mr. Tyrwhitt, an excellent judge and diligent 
perufer of old compofitions, and an iniimate friend of the 
owner, never faw it. It is itated by Dr. Percy to have 
been a prefent from Humphrey Pitt, Efquire, of Priors 
Lee in Shrqpfhire, An acquaintance of Dr Percys has 
been heard to fay, that he rclcued it from a maid fervant 
at a country inn, who made ufe of it in lighting the fire. 
And it is remarkable, that fcarcely any thing is pub- 
lifhed from it, not being to be found ellewhere, without 
our 'being told of the defedls and mutilation of the 
MS. 

b 2 <' Sir 



XX OBSERVATIONS ok 

<' Sir Cauline" (vol. i. p. 41.) was ** in fo defeSi've and 
mutilated a condition « chat // luai necejfary to i\i^^\y /e*ueral 
Jiafncas in the frft part, and ftill more in the fecond^ to 
ccnnedl and complete the ftory." They who could Aipply 
fo many of the flanzas, might without any great difficulty 
have fupplied the whole. " The Child of Elle" (i. 109.) 
is ** given from a fragment," which, ** tho' extremely 
defi£ii*ve and mutilated,** ** excited a ftrong defire to attempt 
a completion oftheftory** 

** Sir Alcfingar " (ii. 50.) is not given without *' a few 
conjectural emendations, and the infertion of three or 
four ftanzas to fupply defers in the original copy." 

In the ballad beginning ** Gentle Herdfman " (ii. 79.) 
<* veflijges of feveral of the lines remaining, fome con- 
jedlural fupplements have been attempted, which, for 
greater exadlnefs, are, in this one ballad, diilinguifhed by 
itali'cks** This is a meafure to which there can be no other 
objedion, than that it is confined to *' thi^ one ballad," 
which however has not the leaft appearance of being a Min-' 
ftrel fong. *' As ye came from the Holy Land " (iii. 93.) 
is communicattd by Mr. Shenflone, '^ as corredted by him 
from an ancient MS. and fupplied with a concluding 
flanza." Mr. Shcnftone was a very pretty poet. 

In •* the Heir of Linnc " (ii. 128.) •'breaches and 
defedls rendered the infertion of a few fupplemetital flan- 
2as neccflary," which ** it is hoped the reader will par- 
don," though he is not inHrudted how to diflinguifh 
them. 

In " The Beggars Daughter of Bethnal Green " (ii. 
162.) *' the concluding llanzas " are acknowleged to 
be an interpolation ; and in the prefatory introdudtion 
is an interpolation by Mr. Guthrie,- of** the only llanza 
he remembered " of another old fong on the fame fub- 
jedl. Mr Guthrie was a Scotchman. 

" 'T he marriage of Sir Gawaine " (iii. 11.) was '* fo 
extremely mutilated, half of every leaf being torn away, 
that without large fupplemcnts, &c. it would have been 
improper for the colledlion." •' They are not however 

particularly 



THB MINSTRELS. xd 

particularly pointed out^ becaufe the fragment itfelf will 
fomc time or other be given to the public." This was 
&id above twenty years ago. 

** King Arthur's death" (iii. 28.) " being very in^ 
correct and imperfed, • • ^ received fome conjedkaral 
emendations^ and even a fupplement of three or four 
danzas." 

•* It cannot be denied, but that a great part of ' The 
Birth of St. George,' is modern," (iii. 219). But it may 
be fafely denied, that the leaft part of it is ancient. 

As to *• Valentine and Orfon," (iii. zSo,) " it would 
be in yain to put off this ballad for ancient, nor yet is it 
altogether modern. The original is an old MS. poem in 
the Editors poileiiion, [not however in the folio MS.]^ 
which being in a wretched corrupt date [as all the Editors 
MSS. have the good fortune to be] the fubjedl was thought 
worthy of fome embellifbments." 

Many other inilances might be noticed, where the 
learned coiledor has preferred his ingenuity to his fide- 
lity, without the leall intimation to the reader. 

It follows, from the manner in which this celebrated 
colledlion is avowedly publifhed, even allowing the MS« 
to be genuine, and to contain what it is faid to do, that 
no confidence can be placed in any of the ** old Minftrel 
ballads " infer ted in that colledion, and not to be found 
elfewhere. 

There are however fome pieces of which we are otherf> 
wife in pofleilion, and which according to the rules laid 
down by Dr. Percy, may be fuppofed to have been origi- 
nally written foi* and fung to the harp. Such are the fol- 
lowing (being all of this kind known to exiil) : 

1. The Battle of Chevy Chafe. 

2. The Battle of Otterbourne. 

3. Little Mufgrave and Lady Barnard. 

4. Lord Thomas and Fair Eleanor. 

5. Fair Margaret and Sweet William* 
ir 0? John Dory. 

b 3 7. John 



xxii OBSERVATIONS pw 

7. John Armflrong, 

8. Captain Care. 

The firft was originally printed by Mr. Hearne, at the end 
pf his edition of William of Newborough, and reprinted 
by Dr Percy, (i. i.) Of the fecond, two MS. copies are 
extant, one in the Harleian and the other in the Cottoi^ 
library ; from ihe latter of which it is printed in the 
fecond edition of the Reliques (lo). The third is printed 
in Drydens Mifcellany, (iii. 307.) and from thence in 
a *' Seleft Lplledlionof Englifh Songs,** vol. ii. p, 215. 
A circumdance attending this ballad will make it evi- 
dent, that the Minflrel iongs were thought improper for 
the prefs. The old black letter copies arc very different, 
and have been modernifed and polifhed for publication. 
Dr, Percy profcffes to have given the fong in his colledipn 
from an old printed copy in the Britilh Mufeum, and 
pbferves, that *< in the Pepys colledlion is an imitation 
of ' it * in a different meafure, by a more modern pen^ 
with many alterations, but evidently for the worfe." 
It is however no lefs certain than remarkable, that the 
pid printed copy in the Mufeum differs in no refpedl 
from the imitation in the Pepyfian library. 

The fourth is one of the two or three ballads of this kind 
known to be printed in black letter, and yet it has not 
been thought fufficiently finooth for recitation or melody, 
iince there is a rifacimento of it extant, but of the mofl con- 
temptible nature. 

John Dory is a well-known Minilrel fong, and was 

(10) It was in the two firft editions given from the Harleian 
MS. which according to Percy reads the fecond line. 

When hufbonds nuynn ther haje^ 
thus J 

When hufbands fwinn their njoaye^ 

which 13 not a fa^y the word in queftion being obvioufly heaye^ 



t - 



ntver 



THE MINSTRELS. xxitt 

never printed in black letter, nor at all (till of lat^) except 
in the book whence it is taken. Both the fifth and the 
feventh are alfo to appearance Mindrel fongs, and were 
printed in black letter. The eighth is now fird printed. 

Thefefongs, from their wild and licentious metre, were 
incapable of any certain melody or air ; they were 
chanted in a monotonous ilile to the harp or othe^ in- 
ilrument, and both themfelves and the performers ba« 
niihed by the introdudion of ballad- fingers without in- 
druments,. who fung printed pjeces to fine and iimple 
melodies, poflibly of their own invention, moll of which , 
are known and admired at this day (i). Thefe, from the 
fmoothnefs of the language, and accuracy of the meafure 
and rime, were thought to be more poetical than the 
old harp or inilrument fongs ; and though critics will 
judge otherwife, the people at large were to decide, and 
did decide : and in fome refped& at lead not without 
juflice, as will be evident from a comparifon of the 
following fpecimens« 

The firft is from the old Chevy Chafe, a very popular 
Minilrel ballad in the time of queen Elizabeth. 

The Percy out of Northumberland, 

And a vow to God made he. 
That he would hunt in the mountains 

Of Cheviat within days three. 
In the mauger of doughty Douglas 

And all that ever with him be. 

The fatteft harts in all Cheviat 

He faid he would kill, and carry them away* 
By my faith, faid the doughty Douglas again, 

I will let that hunting if that I may. 

(i) Hence we perceive one reafon why the ballad-fingers were 
\inder the neceflity of having mod of the old Minlhel ballads 
they adopted new written 5 another might be« that the originals 
were too ihort* 

b 4 How 



ipdr OBSERVATIONS ov 

/ 

I 

How was it poiBble that this rude language^ miferably 
chaunted "by ibme blikd Crowdsr, with no rougher 
voice than rude (lile'(2)," ihould maintain its ground 
againfl fuch lines as the following, fung to a beautifii} 
inelody» which we know belongs to them ? • 

When as king Henry ruVd the land> 

The fecond of that name, 
Befides the queen he dearly lov'd 

A fair and comely dame ; 

Mod peerlefs was her beauty found* 

Her favour and her face ; 
A fweeter creature in the world 

Did never prince embrace. 

Her crifped locks like threads of gold 

Appear'd to each man's fight. 
Her iparkling eyes» like orient pearls* 

Did call a heavenly light: 

The blood within her chridal cheeks 

Did fuch a colour drive. 
As if the lily and the rofe 

For ma^lerihip did ftrive(3)J 



9> 



The Minilrels would feem to have gained little by fuch 
a conteft. In fhort, they gave up the old Chevy Chafe 
to the ballad-fingers^ who, defirous no doubt to avail 
themfelves of fo popular a fubjed, had it new written, 
and fung it to the favourite melody juil mentioned. The 
original* of courfe, became utterly negleded and forgot- 
ten, and but for its accidental difcovery by Mr. Hearne, 
y/ovild never have been known to exifl. 



(») Sir P. Sidney, Defence of Pcctrv, 
(3) « Fair Rofiunond,*' 



John 



THE MINSTRELS. tx$ 

[ohn Dory was the conftant companion of the Min* 
Is ; he fluck by them to the lafl, and may be faid 
eed to have died in the fefvice. Let us iee what fort 
a figure he would cut in company with Jauf Sbon. 

As it fell on a holy day. 

And upon a holy tide a, 
John Dory bought him an ambling nag. 

To Paris for to ride a. 

If Rofamond^ that was fo fair. 
Had caufe her forrows to declare. 
Then let Jane Shore with forrow fing. 
That was beloved of a king, 

le comparifon more^ and we have done* 

Methinks I hear the throflle cock, 

Meihinks I hear the jay, 
Methinks I hear lord Barnards horn ; 

And 1 would I were away. 

Lye ftill, lye ftill, thou little Mufgrave, 

And haggle me from the cold; 
*Tis nothing but a (hepherds boy, 

A driving his fheep to the fold (4)* 



Thefe pretty babes, with hand in handy 

Went wandering up and down ; 
But never more could fee the man. 

Returning from the town : 

Their pretty lips with blackberries 

Were all befmear'd and dy'd ; 
And when they faw the darkfome nighty 

They fate them down and cry'd(5). 

(4) Little Mufgrave and Lady £arnard« 

(5) Children in the Wood* 

Thefe 



^ni OBSERVATIONS, fcfo 

Thefe ftanzas, excluiive of their fuperior {moothners, 
may defy all the Minflrel fon^s extant, nay even thofe 
in the Reliques of Ancient Engltjh Poetry, for fimplicity, 
nature, intereit» and pathos, to which it mud be con« 
fefled thefe celebrated rhapfodies have y^xy fmall preten- 
fions. 

After alU the Minflrel fongs, under the circumflances 
in which they were produced, are certainly both curious 
Sind valuable compoficions. and could any further lights 
be thrown upon the hiitory of thofe by or for whom 
they were invented, a collection of all that can be dif- 
covered would flill be a very entertaining and intereding 
work ; but if fuch a publication fhould ever appear, it is 
to be hoped that it will come from an Editor who prefers 
truth to hypothecs, and the genuine remains of the Min- 
firel Poets, however mutilated or rude, to the indulgence 
of his own poetical vein, however fluent or refined* 



DISSERTATION 



I JPtvii 3 



PISSERTATION 

SONGS, MUSIC, AND VOCAL and INSTRUr 
MENTAL PERFORMANCE 

t 

1 

D P TH B 

ANCIENT ENGLISH. 



I. A I ^ O pretend to frame a Hiflory, or any thing rc» 
X fembling one, from the fcanty gleanings it it 
poffible to colledi upon the i'ubjed of our Ancient Songs 
and vulgar muiic, would be vain and ridiculous* To 
bring under one view the little fragments and flight no- 
tices which cafually offer themfelves in the courfe of .ex« 
tenflve reading, and fometimes where they are leail likely 
to occur, may poffibly ferve to gratify a fympathetic cu* 
rioiity, which is all here aimed at ; and when fo little it 
profeiTed, there can fcarcely be reafon to complain of dif- 
appointment« 

The little information that can be obtained upon the fongs 
and mufic of the Anglo-Saxons has been already coUec* 
ted (i ), and is unnecefTary to be here repeated. The pre« 

(i) See Percys Eflay on the Ancient Englifh Minftrels, p. 
xxiii. &c. and a Hiftorical Eflay on National Song, prefixed to 
« A Seledl Colleaion of Engiifli Songs/' publilhed in 1/83, by 

J. Johnfon, p. xlii. 

fent 



xxviii DISSERTATION ON 

fent enquiry therefor mud be fuppofed to commence from 
the Norman Conquefl, although the iirfl thing to be met 
with in it does not occur till long after. This is a couple 
of lines preferred by old Lambarde, which^ with the anec* 
dote they relate ta> the reader may not be difpleafed to 
fee. If he be, indeed, it is apprehended there will be> 
Tery little in this EfTay capable of attracting his attention, 
or preferring his good humour* 

" In tyme of Hen, II. [anno 1173] Robert therl of 
Leyceder (after the fpoile of his towne of Leicefter) 
came from beyond the feas with a rabble of Fleminges 
and Normanes, whom he made to beleve that al was 
theirs before hand, and as he was on his way, he pur. 
pofed to fpoile ' the ' town and thabbey [of St, £d« 
xnundcs Burye] ; but bycaufe he might come upon them 
the iiiQre unwares, he fwarved a litel out of the waye, as 
thoughe he menc not to come neare theim. Now while 
kis Gallantes paufed upon the heathe, they fell to daunce 
and finge^ 

Hoppc Wylikin, hoppe Wyllykin, 
Ingland is thyne and myne, &c. 

In the meane tyme the kinges army came fodenly upon 
theoiy and eytber flew, drowned, or toke them all (a)." 
for this ilory Mr. Lambarde refers us to Matthew Paris; 
but where he found th6 fong, or whether he had any more 
of it, is not mentioned. 

Mr. Camden has noticed another rime of the fame age, 
not (Iridlly a fong, perhaps, but deferring, neverthelefs, 
to be brought forward upon the prefent occafion. Hav- 
ing obferved that the river Waveney runs to Bungey in 
SuFolk, and almoft encompafTes it, ** Here," fays he« 
*' Hugh Bigod [earl of Norfolk] when the feditious ba- 
tons put all England in an uproar, fortify 'd a cadle, to 

(ft) Didlionary of England, p. 36. 

the 



ANCIENT SONGS AND MUSIC. 

the ftrength whereof nature very much contributed. Of 
which he was wont to boafl, as if it were impregnable : 

Were I in my caftle of Bungey^ 

Upon the river of Waveney, 

I would ne care for the king of Cockeney. 

Notwithftanding which^ he was afterwards forc'd to com- 
pound with a great fum of money and hoflages with 
Henry the Second, to fave it from being demoliiht(3)." 
Thefe two rimes, fuppoiing them to be given upon good 
authority, are valuable, independent of other confidera- 
tions, as the earlieft fpecimens of the Engliih language, 
not being pure Saxon (4). 

It ihould feem, from a rather extraordinary pafTage of 
Giraldus Cambrenjis^ that fongs and vocal harmony were 
ytjy common about this period. His words are thefe: 

** They [the Wellh] fing without uniformity of muii- 
cal modulation, as elfewhere, but multifarlouHy, and ia 
many modes and tunes, fo that in a croud of fingers, as 
is the manner of this people, as many heads as you fee, fo ^ 
many fongs you hear and different voices, all finally un- 
der B foft, with a charming fweetnefs, agreeing in one 
harmony and organic melody. In the northern parts aifb 
of Great Britain, beyond the Humber, and in the borders 
of Yorkfhire, the £ngli(h, who inhabit thofe parts, ufe ia 
£nging a fimilar fymphoniac harmony : but only in two 
different or various tones and voices; the one murmuring 
the lower, the other at the fame time in a foft and pleat- 
ing manner warbling the upper. Nor is it by art only 

(3) Britannia (by Gibfon, 1695, p. 375). 

(4) Higgons, (peaking of the mafTacre of the Danes, l5y or- 
der of K. Etheh-ed, 1002, fays, ** This happened upon St. 
Brice's eve, which is ftill celebrated by the northern EngVtJh^ in 
commemoration of this, infamous a6lion, the women beating 
brafs infirumenti in the ftreets, and finging old rhimes in praife of 
their cruel anceftors,'* Short Viei/J of Englijb Hifiorj* 

but 



TOOt DiSSEkTATION OK 

bot by ancient uCe, and as if now converted into naturfe hf 
conflant habit, that this or chat people hath acquired this 
peculiarity. For it fo far hath grown up, and iuch deep 
root hath now taken among each, that nothing is wont to 
be uttered iimply, or otherwife than variouily as among 
the firfl, or doubly as among the latter: boys alfo (which 
is the more to be wondered at) and even infants (when 
ArA from cries they break forth into fongs) obferving th6 
fame modulation. The Englilh, I believe, for not gene- 
rally all, but the northern .people only, ufe this fort of 
modulation of voices, from the Danes and Norwegians 
who ufed to occupy thofe parts of the ifland more fre- 
quently, and continue in the pofFeiGon of them longer, 
as they contracted the affinity of fpeaking, fo alfo the 
property of finging (j)*** The not being able to under- 
ftand or account for iuch a Angularity^ feems an infuffi- 
cient reafon for di (believing the relation ; it is no unuiual 
thing however for this author, ancient as he is, and right- 
reverend as he was, to have his veracity quedioned. 

From the reign of Henry II. to that of his fucccfTor of 
the fame name. Is a long leap ; but we meet with no- 
thing to Hay us. Of the latter reign, befides the fong 
printed in the following colledion, we have a very curious 
hiflorical ballad, a fa tire upon Richard king of the Ro- 
mans (6) : another of the fame age we cannot with cer- 
tainty refer to. 

From that mofl raluable manufcript in the Harleian 
library, whence the above fatire is extracted, we are fup- 
plied with feveral fongs of the two following reigns ; and 
hiftory, fufficiently fparing of fuch favours, condefcends 
to furniih us with a vulgar relique or two belonging to the 
£rft of them. 

The battle of Dunbar was fought and won by the earl 
of Warenne, the 28th of April 1296 ; " and po feide pe 
Englisihmen in reprefe of pe Scottp. 

(5) Cwnbri^ defer ipttOi c. xiii. See alfo Hawkins's Hiftory of 
Muilc, i. 408, 

(6) See Percys Reliques, ii* it and infra f^. 37. 

Thtts 



ANCIENT SONGS AND MUSIC. laoi 

u Thus fcaterand Scottis, 

j^jf Holde I for footis. 

Of wrenchis vnware ; 

Ecrly in a mornyng. 

In an euyl tyding. 

Went fc froo Dunbarrc." 



■; 



The wits on the other fide had indeed, it (hould feean, 
commenced this kind of hollilicies, which it were to be 
wiihed had been the only one that ever prevailed be<» 
tween the two nations. ** King Edward," fays our an- 
thority, *' went him toward Berwyke, and bifeged pe 
toune and po p' were with yn manlich hem defended, and 
fett on fire and brent ij of the king Edwarde (hippesj and 
feide in difpite and reprefe of him. 

Wend kyng Edewarde wip his lange (hankcs. 
To have gete Berwyke al our vnpankes ? 
Gas pikes hym, and after gas dikes hym." 

Their plcafantry, however, was, in the pref<ent inftance, 
fomewhat ill-timed, for as foon as the king heard of it, 
he afiaulted the town with fuch vigour, that he carried it 
with the lofs of 25,700 Scots. '1 his happened on the 
thirtieth of March in the fame year (7). 

Songs on national topics were at this time generally 
written in French, feveral of which, and many of them 
very curious, arc iUll in being (8). 

The venerable father of Englifh poetry had in his 
time penned ** many a fong and many a lecherous lay,'* 
of which we have infinitely more reafon to regret the 
lofs, than he had in his old-age to repent the compofi- 
tion. His larger works, and above all the inimitable 
Canterbury Tales, afford us numerous particulars rela- 

(7) Old Chronicles, MSS. Harl. 226. 7333. 

(8) Sec MSS, Cotton, Julius, A. v. MSS. Harl. 2*53. 

tive 



koui DISSERTATION ON 

tive to the ftate of vocal melody in that age^ Thtgntil 
Pardonere, 

That flreit was coxnen from the court of Rome, 
Ful loude he fang. Come hither, love, t6 me. 
The Sompnour bear to him a (lifF burdoun. 
Was never trompe of half fo gret a foun (9). 

This burdoun mufl have been the bafe, and would fome- 
what refemble, in all likelihood, the drone of a bagpipe; 
which» it (hould be remembered, the word actually figni« 
fies in its original language. 

Alifon, the carpenters wife, had a great many accom* 
plifhments : 

But of hire fong» it was as loud and yerne. 
As any fwalow fitting on a berne (10). 

Ai\d the Wife of Bath, in her younger days, as ihe herfeif 
tells ns, could ling like a nightingale. 

The fongs of Robin Hood, a hero of an earlier period, 
were fo popular in this age, that a fatirical wricer of the 
time reprefents a fccular pried as having negleded his 
breviary to acquire them : 

I caji rimes of Robin Hood and Randal of Chefler, 
But of our Lord and our Lady I lerne nothing at all (i). 

This Randal of Chefter was Randal Biundeville, the 
jthird and lad earl of that name, a generous, martial ba« 
ron> and a crufader, who died in 1231 ; and not Randal 

(9) Milleres Tale. (Note, that all the quotations here made 
from the Canterbury Tales, are from the valuable edition of the 
late Mr. Tyrwhitt.) (10) Ibid. 

{i) yijion of {\, e. concerning) Pters the Pionvman, This 
writer is ftil) anonymous ; there is no reafon to believe that it 
was either Robert Langland, or John Malverne, but on the con- 
trary a fubdantial one that it was not, 

Higden, 



ANCIENT SONGS AND MUSIC, aottia 

Hlgden^ the monk and chronicler, as Mr, Warton idly 
imagines (2). 

The common people, no doabt» have in all ages been 
fond of finging in the alehoafe (3) : Thus, for the age of 
which we are now fpeaking, the anthor of Pitrt Plamn^ 



And then faten fome and fonge at the nale* 

And the author of the Plowmans Tale (not Chaucer, to 
whom it has been falfely afcribed) reprehends the prieftt 
for the ambition of being 

Chief chan tours at the nale (4). 

The fongs made ufe of by thefe waflailers (0 would 
Jiot, it is prefnmedj be remarkable for delicacy or ele- 
gance; 

(a) Hift. Eng. Poetry, 11. 179. 

{ly They have been equally addifled to quarreling there, 
from the remoteft period. See LL. liue, c, 6. LL. JEtiilredi, 
f. 1. LL»Htn, Lc, 8t. 

(4) Part 3* ftan. 22. v, i. Thus too a fong of Henry the 
ikths time : MS. Had. 4294. 

And thou goo to the nale 
As mery as a nyghtyngale. 

(5) Wajbeil and Drincbell were the terms of art of the old 
topers at the nale, who ufed to make the welkin refound with 
them. ** The old ale-knights of England/* fays Camden, 
** were well depainted out of * John Hauvill, a monk of S. AU 
Wns,* in the ale-houfe colours of that time, in this manner } 

Jamque vagante fcypbo, dtfctnSo gutture wa (hci 1 
bigeminant wafheil ; labor eft plus perdere *vini 
Sluam Jitis ; exhaurire merum ^ebemeniius ardent ^ 
S^uam exbaurire fitim* Remains, p. 4134 

Sir T. de la Moor, about to defcribe the battle of Bannock* 
bum^ has the following words : << Fidijfes prima ngQe Anglos 

C hetui 



todv DISSERTATION ON 

gancei but, whatever they were, it might afford fomt 
httle facisfadlion to be acquainted with them (6). 

II. With 

haud Anglico more *vino madentes, crapulam eruBanies^ WaC- 
i'aile ^ Drinkchaile plus folito intonantes,^' Vita Edwardi II. 
The Saxons, according to Foidun, fpent the night preceding the 
battle of Haftings in the fame manner i ** lUam noSiem Angli 
tofam in cantibus et foiibus infomnem duxerunt,^* c. 13. 

It is almoft needlefs to obferve, that thefe two are the very firft 
Saxon words which we know, from hi((orical evidence, to have 
been pronounced in this country. Vortiger, K. of Britain, being 
invited to fupper by his ally Hengit^, at his newly built caftle of 
Sydingbourn in Kent, was, after fupper, approached by Hen- 
gifts beautiful daughter Rowena, who, having a goblet of wine 
in her hand, and making a graceful reverence, faid, paes heil 
hlapojib cyning, i.e, be of health, lord king; to which the 
king, being in(tru£led by his interpreter, replied, bjUDC heil^ 
i, e, drink heahh. The bait had its efFe£l j the king, fmitten 
with the young ladys charms, deHred and obtained her in mar* 
riflge, divorcing his wife, and giving up the whole of Kent to 
Heiigift. 

(6) Will the reader pardon the infcrtion of the only fpecimen 
that has occurred, and of which, as Dr. Johnfon has fomewhere 
obferved, ** the merriment is very grofs, and the fentiments very 
woithlefs?" 

Bi7ng vs home good ale, f ', bryng vs home good ale ; 
And for our dcr lady love, brynge vs home good ale, 

Brynge home no beff, f ', for that ys full of bonys. 
But brynge home good ale I nowgh, for I love wyley* (/ic}. 

But, Sec. 

Brynge vs home no wetyn bre(|p,.for that ys full of braund, 
Nothyr no ly biede, for y' ys of y' fame. 

But, Sec. 

. Brynge vs home no porke, f ', for y^ ys very fat, 
Nethyr no burly biede, for ncthyr lovys I y^ 

But bryng vs home good ale. 

Bryn^ 



ANCIENT SONGS AND MUSIC. xxxv 

II. With refpefl to the mufic of this diftant period, 
we are (till more at a lofs» than we are as to its fongs. Ic 
was probably nothing more than the plain chant, or '' a 
fucceflion of founds of the fame name and place in the 
fcale ; viz. C fol fa ut, being the mean part of a te- 
nor voice/' with little or no pretenfion to melody, the 
graces of the air being altogether arbitrary, and depend- 
ing entirely upon the fkill or powers of the performer. 
Certain it is, that no fecuiar mufic of thefe times, fuch. 
as may be fappofed to have been in vogue among the 
common people, is known to be preferved. Dr. Burney 
confefTes that he had not been fo fortunate as to meet 
with a iingle tune to an Englifh fong or dance, in all 
the libraries and MSS. he had confulted, fo ancient as 
XYi^ fourteenth century (7). Sir John Hawkins had al- 
ready made a fimilar cbfervation (8) ; and the only doubt 
which thefe gentlemen leave upon the minds of their 
readers is, whether they have met with one fo ancient as 
the fifteenth. One may go ftill further ; it is perhaps im- 
poflible to produce even the bare name of a fong or dance- 
tune in ufe before the year 1500. The oldeft country- 
dance- tune now extant. Sir John Hawkins fays, is that 
known by the name of Sellengers^ /. f. St. Legers 

Bryng vs home no muttun, P, for y^ ys togh and lene, 
Nethyr no trypys, for they be feldyn clene. 

But bryng, &c. 

Brynfif vs home no vele, f *, for y^ will not dur, " 
But bjyng vs home good ale I nogh to drynkc by the fyr. 

But, &c. 

Bryng vs home no fydyr,nor no palde wyne. 
For and y" do thow (halt have cryils cuiTe and myne. ' 

But, &c. 

It is of or about the time of Henry VI. and is given from W.S. 
Harl, 54.1. 
(7) Hirt. of Mufic, ii, 381. (8) Hift. of Mufic, ii. 91. 

c 2 Rounds , 



xxxvi DISSERTATION ON 

Rounds which may be traced back to marly the time or 
Henry VIII (9). It is nevcrthclers highly probable, that 
fome little light tunes for dances were known from very 
early times. The hornpipe is thought by muBcians to be 
the native produdtion of this country, but, if (b, it was, 
poi&bly, invented as well as ufed by thoTe who could not 
read a note (10). 

Sir John Hawkins has, indeed, pronounced that '' fongs' 
and ballads, with eafy tunes adapted to them, muft at all 
times have been the entertainment not only of the com- 
mon people, but of the better fort ;" and that «• thefc 
muft have been of various kinds, as namely fatirical, hu- 
mourous, moral, and not a few of them of the amorous, 
kind. Hardly any of thefe," he adds, *• with the mufic 
of them, are at this day to be met with, and thofi fi*vit 
that are yet extant are only to be found in odd part hooks t 
written ^without hars, and with ligatures, in a charadteryi 
eh/olete, that all hopes of recovering them^ or of rendering* 
to any tolerable degree intelligib'e, any of the common po- 
fular tunes in ufe before the middle of l\it Jixteenth century, 
mud be given up (i)." It is not to be prefumed that the 
V learned writer is, in this \tTy curious paflagc, defcribing 
what he never faw, much lefs what does not exifl ; it is 
therefor much to be regretted, that he did not confult 

(9) Hift. Mufic, ii. 91. The proof cited, however, does not 
carry it much nearer than the year 1 591 . 

(10) Chaucer, in his Romant of the Rofe^ fpcaks of "horn- 
pipes of Cornewaile,'* as a mufical initrument; to this the rural 
dances fo called were perhaps originally performed, and owe a 
denomination for which it will otherwife be very difficult to ac- 
count. In a MS. of ancient fongs and mufic found among the 
bouks of the kings library in the Mufeum, and now depofited 
among the royal MSS. not later than Hen. the Villths time, is 
•* a homepype }" but the authority of a gentleman, every way 
qualified to be a competent judge, enables the editor to fay, 
that it bears no reiemblance to the hornpipe of modern timea, 
being a very Ion? and ioleuin compofition. 

(i) Hift* Mufic, iiit a. 



I 



ANCIENT SONGS AND MUSIC. xttvii 

ibme perfons (and undoubtedly there are many) to whom 
the tvattt of bars 9 the ufe of ligatures t and a charafler fi 
•hfoUtij would have proved no impediment. But whac 
** common popular tunes" have to do in '* odd part 
books/' is not eafy to conceive. 

Amanufcript in the pofTeifion of the editor of the follow* 
ing colledion>and written, partly at lead, in the times of 
Richard II. and Henry IV. contains, perhaps, the oldeft 
ipccimens of vulgar muiic that can be produced ; and, as 
it is rather a curiofity, a few extrads may not be thought 
improper (2). A toul ignorance of the mufical art is 
not the only inconvenience under which the prefent 
writer labours : what he thus inferts is, therefor, to be 
regarded as mere matter of antiquity. He leaves bars 
to be added, Ugaturts to be untied, and eh/oUte chara^ert 
to be dtcyphered^ by thofe whofe genius and iludies have 
qualified them for the talk : thinking it oiough for him 
to have afforded matter for the exercife of their inge« 
noity. 



(2) On the infide of the cover is the following note by 
«* honeft Tom Martin of Palgravc \ " <* This book is the hand- 
writing of the famous John Brakley, frier minor of Norwich, 
tutor and raafter to judge Pafton, whofe accounts thefe are, when 
he was at the inns of court at I^^ndon i 

Obljt Williis Fafioity Jufliciarius Regh, Ao, 14x8. Lra DmealU D. 

The longs are very curious.*' 

Mr. Martin was reckoned a (kilful antiquarian and ingenious 
man \ but he has committed at leaft one confiderable miftake in 
this account, as judge Pafton, who was born in 137S, did not 
die before 2444. As to frier Brackley, he was livine in 1461^ 
in which year it appears he was to '< preche at Poules/' See 
Original Uttirs^ during the rngnsofHtwry VU *€» i, S34f 



C3 



Tkeft 



Jotxviii DISSERTATION ON 



Thefe two Teem fragments of Love Songs : 



1 ,, U L I f izz^fej^ 




? 



I haue loved fo many a day, ligthly fpedde bot betc^ I may 



F4.4^^'Kl. iJ ^E 



Yis cnd^ day wen me was wo vnd^ a bugh, y 1 lay, 
Naght gale to mene me to 



am 



Here is a pifture of the Virgin Mother rocking her cradle: 



^i<>,,o<>i^"'P'iL^>lo 5 



I faw a fwete sely fyght a blisful birde 
A maydin mod^ mek & myld ;n c^di] kep 



•^-2-^ 



M 



a blofsfi bright y' mnyg made and mirgh of mage 
# knaue child y< foftly flepe fcho fat and sage 

Ifa»r 



ANCIENT SONGS AND MUSIC. xxxix 






^^ «_^ 

I (aw a fwete sely fight a bloitu bright a bkf- 
A maydin mod' mek and mild i c'dil kepe a knaue 



<y 



■^ 



00 ^BO^s^ lO - 



fal bird yt mnyg made and in r the of m [ange]« 
child y^ foftly flepe fcKo fate and fange. 



And here the Lullaby (he ufes upon theoccafion : 



LuUa/ lullow lully> luUay bewy 



bewy Ittlly bewy lul!y lullow luUy lullay 






^^^^ 



baw baw my barne flepe foftly now lullay lollow 

c 4 lully 



DISSERTATION ON 



^^^loH^ ^ .v^vloi^| 



jsi^ 



lall^ lullay bewy bew^ lall/ 

?' ° <> H <> " <o H ^ : 

bewy lally lallow^rlallay Inllow baw baw 



^^^^>U ,oLv^ 




'. P" 

my barne flepe fofrly now« 



The loogeft and only complete piece> is a dreaming re* 
Ution of a dialogue fuppofed to have pafTed between the 
tbore lady and her infant fon. It begins thus ; 

Yis end^ nithgt I favy ha sithgr ha may ha credill kepe, 
Hande ei^ fchuy fang hande iayde in mang lallay my 
child ande flepe. 

This no doubt, as well as the thirdt and poffibly the laft» 
of the above extracts, was a Chriftmas carol, a fpecies of 
compofition pf which the reader will find a tolerable num- 
ber of examples in the courfe of the volume. It might 
indeed have oeen eafily enlarged, but is fufficient to ihew« 
that poetry or fong derived little advantage, in point of 
language or ieqtimenti from the imagined fubliinity of 
the fobjea, 

m. The 



ANCIENT SONGS AND MUSIC. xli 

III. The XDufic of thefe remote ages naturally leads 
oao enquiry after the inllruments by which it was per- 
brmed.' Of thefe the harp, as it was probably the mofl 
Dcient, was long efteemed the chief. This inftroment 
fis well known in the time of Chaucer, by whom it is 
vqnently menttoned. His Fnre could play upon and 
Qg to it (3) ; and the genial Wife of Bath had frequently 
meed to it in her younger days (4) : for which purpofe, 
feems. to have been an ordinary retainer or vifitant to 
verns and fuch like places (5). It continued in ufe 
1 after the reign of queen Elizabeth, pofiibly till the 
n\ wars, but was long held in the lowed eftimation (6) : 
ice that time it has been entirely laid afide, or at leaft 
:ry rarely ufed as an Englifh inftrument (7). The 
kUTRiB, or pfaltery, was an inflrumentof the harp kind» 
1 which Hinify Nicbolast the fcholar of Oxenford^ was an 
lept. 

And all above there lay a gay fautrie. 
On which he made on nightes melodie 1 

(3) Prologue, (4) Wife of Baths prologue, 

(5} Chaucer mentions the dancing in 



'ilewes and tauemesy 



—with harpesy lut^s, and giternes. 

And light anon in comen tombefteres, 

Fetis and fmale and yong^ fruitelieres, 

Singers lAjitb barpes^ Sec. Pardoners Tale. 

See alfo Song IX. clafs II. of the following colle6lion. 

(6) From its being ufually played by blind men, the phra^ 
find harper became a term of general ridicule and contempt, 
^hus Cotton, Virgil Tran;ejiie g 

Quoth he, blind barperj, have among ye I 

(7) " Honeft Jack N Is, the harper," is however remem« 

•ered in one of Tom Browns Letters from the Dead to the Liv* 
Ag. Works, ii, iQi. And feems to have plyed at « the Cellar 
t the Stiiir 



i DISSERTATION ON 

So fwetely, that all the chamber rong. 
And Angelus ad Firginem he fong. 
And afier that he fonge the kinges note. 
Full often bleiTed was his mery throte (8). 

The Kittges Nou was doubtlefs fome well-known fong of 
the time, and probably the very fame which is mentioned 
in Veddtrburttis Complaint of Scotland (ufaally afcribed to 
Sir James Inglis) printed at St. Andrews, in 1549, under 
the title of *' kyng vill^mis note." 

. Chaucer mentions the rote as an inllrument on which 
his Fr/r^ excelled (9) . This, it is conjedored, was the 
fame with the more modern 'vielU (10), the lyra mindsco- 
rum, or hurdy-gurdy (1), fo frequent at this day in the 
ftreets of London, though not in the hands of the natives, 
the (Irings of which are agitated by the fridion of a 
nvheel{i). It is likewife named by Gower, in his Con* 
fejjio Amantis, 

— Harpe, citole, and riotb, 

With many a tewne and many a note. 

(8) Millers Tale. Again : 

He kiflTed here fwcte, and taketh his fautrie. 
And plaieth faft, and maketh melodic. 

(9) Prologue. 

(10) The *vUllie of the Jongleurs, which Dr. Percy makes " a 
kind of luie or guitar,'* was the 'vioUn, See M. de la Ravaillicre, 
de VAncienneli des Chanfons Franpifes^ Foefies du roy de Na<uarrti 
i. »49. M. le Grand, Fabliaux ou ConteSy i. 49. 

(i) The ufe of this term, though reje6led by di£lionary< 
makers, is not without clajfical auibority t 

"Whom have we here ? a fightly fwain and fturdy I 

Hum ! plays, X.iee, upon the burdy-gurdy, Midai. 

.(s) See M, de la Ravillier^^ VAuciennetejdes Chanfcns\ p. 254. 

The 



ANCIENT SONGS AND MUSIC. xliil 

The ciTOLE, or ciftole, as it it elfewhere called (from 
'iftella^ a little box) is thought to have been the dulcimer, 
irfome inftrument of the fame kind. 

The RiBiBLB and giterne were favourite inilru-* 
icnts of Abfolon the parilh clerk. 

A mery child he was, fo God me fave* 
In twenty manere could he trip and dance. 
And play en fonges on a fm all risible, 
Therto he fong fometime a loud quinible. 
And as wel coud he play on a giterne* 
In all the toun n'as brewhous ne taverne. 
That he ne vifited with his folas, 
Tber as that any gaillard tapilere was (3}. 

The defcription of his ferenading the carpenters wifo 
admirable : 

The rooone at night fal clere and brighte (hona 
And Abfolon his giterne hath ytakie. 
For paramours he thoughte for to wake. 
And forth he goth, jolif and amorous. 
Til he came to the carpenteres hons, 
A litel after the cbckes had ycrow. 
And drefTed him up by a fhot window^ 
That was upon the carpenteres wal. 
He iingeth in his vois gentil and fmal ; 
Now, dere lady, — if thy wille be, 
I pray you that ye — wol re we on me ; 
Ful wel accordant to his giterning (4). 



• 



The ribible was probably the rebec or fiddle, which 
as been a popular inflrument, and, by gradual improve- 
lent) has at length fuperfeded almoft every other. Its 
Qtiquity is linqueflionable (5). The crouth or crdwd 

(3) Millers Tale. (4) Ibid. 

(5} See M* de la Ravailliere, VAnciinneti^ &c.'p, 249. 



xHt dissertation Oft 

(cfiu^, Saxon, crwd, Welfh) was another, but larger in- 
ftruitient of the fame nature (6). The giterns is the 
cittern or guitar, which was anciently much ufed for fing- 
ing to. Thus in the njion ofPitrs the Plowman^ one fays, 
he can 

Neither faylen ne faute, ne fyng to the gytcrne. 

This inftrument, which Chaucer thought worthy of the 
god of mufic, he has put with peculiar propriety into the 
hands of the jofy Ah/clon^ who, among his numerous ac« 
complifliments, 

Wei c«ud leten blod, and clippe, and fhare, 

* 

as it appears, for many centuries, to have made part of the 
conftant furniture of a barbers (hop, where it was "com- 
mon to all men.'' It feems of late, however, to have re« 
trieved its credit, and to hav^ received ample amends for 
its difgrace in the hands of the fair fex. 

MoS of thefe inllruments, with others, are enumerated 
in an old metrical romance^ intitled> Tke SjKtn rfL^vt 
Degn : 

There was mirth and melodye, 
With harp, getron, and fautry. 
With rote, ribible, and clokarde. 
With pypes, organ, and bumbard* 

(6) Fide and eroivth are both mentioned in fong V. clafs I. 
iwhence it (hould feem they were at that time diftin6l inftruments. 
See alfo the figure and deicription of a crowth in Hawkinses Hif- 
tory of Mufic, vol. ii. p. 273. and in the Archsologia, vol. iii. 
p. 30. Spenler calls it <* the trembling crowd,'* in allufion, no 
doubt, to the vibration or tremulous motion of the chords/ 
Crtfivd, however, was in later times the common name of a 
fiddle^ and Crtrwder^ of a performer thereon ; whence the name 
of Cro*wdero in Hudibras. And that fiddle and rebeck were 
fynonymous, appears from a paiTage in *Tbe Knigbt of the burning 
Vtftle, where it is faid to be '* prel'ent death for thefe fidlers to 
tune their rebecks before the great Tuiks grace/' 

The 



p 



ANCIENT SONGS AND MUSIC. xlr 

Tbe LVTB> mentioned by Chaucer, muft, from thelovr 
ate not only of the mufical fcience, but of the mecha- 
ical arts in that age, have been eiTentially different from 
tie modern inftrument of the fame name, which is faid 
have fallen into difufe on account of the fuperior de* 
;ree of (kill requifite to its performance (7). 

The CYMBAL, the tabour, the tymbre, the sis* 
rRuif, are all mentioned, and fome of them defcribed, 
>y Bartholomeus, in his book De Pmprietatihut Rerum^ 
rbich was tranilaied into Engliih by John de Trevifa^ 
Ad firft printed by Wynken dc Wordc. 

The sTMPHONiB, likewifcj which Chaucer mentiont 
B his rime of Sir Topaz, 

(Here is the quene of Faerie, 
With harpe and pipe, and fymphonie. 
Dwelling in this place) 

'as " an inftrument of mufyke, • . . made of an ho* 
mt tree, clofyd in lether in eycher fyde, and mynftrela 
ciyth it wyth ftyckes (8)". 

An extradt from the romance of Alifaundre, by Adam 
lavie, will afford no bad idea of a grand concert, and 

(7) See Browns Eftimate, vol. ii. p. 77. — Sir J. Hawkinses 
iih of Muftc, iv. 394.. This inftrument in Skeltons time was 
liefly in the hands of profeflbrs. See how he handles one of 
icfc comelj coyjiro'wnes : • 

He lumbryth on a lewde lewtc roty bulle joyfe, 
Rumbill downe, tumbil downe, hey go now now* 
He fumblyth in his fyngering an vgiy good noife. 
It ferny th the fohbyng of an old low. 
He wold be made moch of and he wyft how, Sccm 

It is alfo noticed in an old poetical tra6l, intitled, The ScBole 
laufi of Women (originally printed in or before 1557) : 

Or asjthe minflrel dooth intend 

Witlihelp of lute, Hnger, or quil. Sig. D. j. 6. 

Lnd in Surreys Hoem^, Brft publifhed in that year, is a beautiful 
ddrefs " to his Lutei' by Sir T. Wyat the elder. 
(S) Bartho« de Pro, A/rwKi.^^Hawkinses Hift. of Mufic, il. 

t i(he 



xlvi DISSERTATION ON 

the other dmufemencs at a royal fedival in the coart 0/ 
Edward II. or III. The author is fpeaking of the itiar« 
riage of «* kyng Phelip" with «' Clorpatras the richc 
quene.'* 

Spoufed fcheo is and fet on deys. 
Now gynnith the gefte of nobles* 
At theo feCie was trumpyng^ 
Pipyng and eke taboryng, 
Sytolyng and ek harpyng, 
Knyf pleyng and ek fyngyng, 
Carolyng and turmentyng, 
Wraftlyng and ek flymyng. 
Theo game goth noujt fuT biyue 
Ther fom beiieth and fome wyue. 

Chancers Miller entertains his fellow pilgrims with the 
found of the ** baggepipe," which he played very 
well. 

The '* HORNEPiPEs OF CoRWEWAiLE," mentioned 
in the Romant of tbt Roft; are thought to have been the 
fame as the pibcorn, an inflrument Aill nfed in fome parti 
of the principality of Wales, of which Mr. Barringtoa 
has given a particular defcription (9). The ftock aai 
horn which Allan Ramfay mentions, and explains to be 
** a reed or whilUe, with a horn fixed to it by the fmaller. 
end," to anf-ver the purpofe of a drone.is, however, with 
equal probability, the hornepipe of Chaucer. Though, 
after all, his ** ComenvaiU^^ is not the county in England 
fo called, but CornouailU in Bretagne, which he found ia 
his original (10). 

The martial inilruraehts of thefe ages were. 

Pipes, trompes, nakeres, and clariounes. 
That in the bataille blovven blody founes *. 

(9) Archaeoioc:i3, iii. 33. Piba^rn is eoritpipe, pipeau di 
come. Thus in the Coir.plnint of Scotland, ** the feyr«.i[rc help* 
hyrd play it] on ane cjtnt'i'peJ'^ Hoinpipe and cornpipe arc fy- 
nonymous. Sec belore, p. xxxvi. n. (lo.) 

(10) Et fins nou'jcculx de contreta'tllet 
Aux cbaiemaulx (U CorucuailU* 

• Canterbury Tales, i. 98. (Knightcs Tale.) 

And 



B 

« 



ANCIENT SONGS AND MUSIC. «I»a 

!ad the (hepherd boys of Chaacers time had 

—many a floite and litlyno hornb» 
And pipes made of grene come (i). 

lartholomeus obfcrving, that as " fhepe louyth pypynge^ 
lierfore fhepherdes ufych pipes whan they walk with theyr 
icpe(2).*' 

IV. The progrefs of Song-writing during the fifteenth 
sntury, may, in fome degree, appear from the following 
dlle£lion ; little additional information is to be gleaned 
oring a period only intereding in battles and murders. 

Among the Harleian MSS. in the Mufeum (N*' 682) 
I a collection' of love poems, roundels, and fongs, 
lade by Charles duke of Orleans while a prifoner in 
England, in Henry the fifths time. It is not to be ex- 
»e£ted that the poetry of a foreigner (and a prince of the 
»lood too) (hould have much merit in an age in which 
bat of the natives had fo little. 

The following, which is given as a fpecimen of this 
roang noblemans talents, feems to be a fort of dialogue 
>etween him and his millrefs, on his requefting the favoar 
»f acbafte falute. 

Lende me yowre praty mouth madame^ 
Se how y knele here at yowre feet. 
Whie wolde ye occupy th« fame f 
Now where a bowt firft mot me wite. 
J WIS dere hert to baiTe it fwete, 
A twyfe or thrife or that y die. 
So may ye haue when next we mete 
Toforne or ye it ocupie. 

Or y it ocupy, wcl, wel, 

Js my reward but fuche a fkorne ? 

(1) Houfe of Fame, ili. 133. 

(2) Hawk. Hift. Mufic, ii. it%. 

10 Ye 



xlviH DISSERTATION ON 

Ye woo 18 me for yowre feek hele« ^ 

Bat It may heele nght wel tomorne« ^ 

Then fe y wel though y were lornc 1^, 

For oon poore coffc ye fct aot by, -, 

Seide y yow not ynough toforne -Ij 

Ye may haue or ye ocupy ? ^ j 

Ye for that cofTe y thanke yow that ht 

For whie yet am y never pe nere. hi 

Then come agayne this wot ye what Ivc 

An other tyme and not to yere, p 

A fy, wel wel, a fwet hert dere, |^ 
Bi verry god ye mot aby. 

Nay bete me not, firft take it here Ix 

Toforne or ye it occupy. li 



Ye fo fo fwete, ye fo fwete hertj^ 
Good thrift vnto pat praty eye. 
Nay eril lo muft ye this avert . 
How y feide or ye it ocupy, 

A MS. in the Bodleian library has once contained either 
the whole or part of a fong, of which it was found im« 
pradicable to make out more than the two firil lines : 

Joly Che|ite of Afchell down 
Can more on loue than al th* town. 

Mr. Warton, who has printed [the firfl of them, feems to 
difcover feme refemblance between this fame yp/j Cbeptrtt 
and Thomas ofErfilJon, the Scotiih vaticinal rimer (3). 

After the firll battle of St. Albans, between Henry VI. 
and the duke of York, by the mediation of the arch- 
bifhop of Canterbury and other prelates, both parties 
were brought to a compromife and mutual exchange of 

(3) Hift. Engliih Poetry, i. 76.— The N» of the MS. is 694. 

promife 



ANCIENT SONGS AND MUSIC. xlije 

profflife of friend (hip. " For the oativard publishing of 
this ioyfuU agreement," fays Stow, " there was vpon our 
Lady day in Lent, or fiue and twentieth day of March, 
[New Years Day, 1458] a folemne proceffion celebrated 
wichin the cathedrall church of Saint Paule, in the city 
of London : at the which the king was prefent, in hts 
habite royall, with the crowne on his head; before him 
Went, hand in hand, the duke of Somerfet, the earle of 
Salifbury, the duke of ExceRer, and the earle of War- 
wick, and fo one of the one fadion, and another of the 
ocher. And behind the K. the duke of Yorke, and the 
queene, with great familiarity to all mens fights, whatfo- 
ever was meant to the contrary . . . (4).'' This, it can« 
not be doubted, would be a fpe^lacle highly grateful to 
the people, as it Teemed to promife them a reprieve from 
the calamities of a civil war, which they had previoufly 
every reafon to apprehend ; it therefor certainly deferved 
to be celebrated by a happier bard than the author of fach 
fianzas as the following : 

Whan charite is chofen w^ flates to (londe 

Stedfad, and fkill without diHaunce^ 

Than wrathe may be exiled out of this lande^ 

And god oure gide to haue the gou nance : 

Wifdom Sc wellth with all plefaunce 

May rightfulregne and profperite, 

For loue hath vnderlaide wrathful veniaunce, 

Reioife Anglond oure lordes acorded to be (5}, 

Other fongsof this reign might be produced ; and fuch 
readers as are not fatisBed with the number printed in 
the following colleftion, may be referred to MS. Sloan, 
2595, and MS. Harl. 4294, where they will iind feveral 
more. 



(4) Annales, (cd. 1631; fo,) p. 404. 

(5) MSb. Cotton. Veipafian, B. xvt« 



Dr. 



1 DISSERTATION ON 

Dr. Percy had, in the two firft editions of the Rilifuis, 
reprinted an excellent old ballad of this reign, inti- 
tied, The Turnament of Tottenham ; but having beea 
•* informed of an ancient MS. copy preferved in the 
Mufeum [Harl. MSS. 5396.] which appeared to have 
been tranl'cribed. in the reign of K. Hen. VI. about 
1456^'' he has in the third edition '* chiefly followed 
that more authentic tranfcript." Only " the lail ftanza," 
he fays, *< is not in MS. but given from Bed well's 
copy." For the fake of a coniiderable variation, this laft 
ilanza is here printed from that very MS. 

At that fell thay wer feruyd with a rych aray, 
Euery fyvc and fy ve had a cokenay ; 
And fo thay fat in jolyte al the lang day ; 
And at the lail thay went to bed with ful gret deray : 
Mekyl myrth was them amang ; 
In euery corner of the hous 
Was melody delycyous. 
For to her precyus 

Of iix menys fang (6). 

Skelton, laureat, in the Bowge of Court, his befl fe- 
rious poem, introduces a character under the name of 
*• Haruy « Hafcer ' (7)," whofe 

— -Throte was clere, and luflely coulde fayne. 
And ever he fange, fithe I am nothinge plaine. 
To kepe him from piking it was a grete paine. 

Alluding no doubt to fome well-known fong. He like- 
wife bids 

(6) P. 73. , (7) Not Hafter. 

Hauel and Haruy Hafter, 
Jacke tiauel, and Cole crqfter. 

Why tome ye not io Court, 

Holde 



ANCIENT SONGS AND MUSIC. J| 

fiolde vp the helme, loke vp, and lete God flere» 
J wolde be inerie> what wind thateuer blowe^ 
Heae and how rombelow^ row the bote^ Norman^ 
rowe. 

This lad line is certainly the fcrap of an old ballad. 
** In this xxxii. yeare [f. of Henry VI.]" fay» Fabian, 
*' John Norma . . • . [mayor of London] vpon the mo- 
rowe of Symon & Judes daye^ the accuftomed day whe the 
newe mayre vfed yearly to ryde with great pompe vnto 
Weftminller to take his charge, this mayre firfl of all 
mayres brake that auncient and olde continued cuftome, 
& was rowed thyther by water, for the which y® water- 
men made of hym a roundell or fonge to hys great 
prayfe, the which began^ Rowe the bote. Norma, rowe to 
thy lemma, and fo forthe, with a longe procefTe (8).'' 

This Haruy ' Hafter' is reprefented entirely ignorant 
of prick«.fong, which, as an ordinary accompli fhrnent, he 
exprefTes a great defire to learn. 

Princes of youghte, can ye (inge by rote. 
Or (hall I faile with you a feloSiip afTaie, 
For on the booke I cannot iing a note ; 
Wolde to God, it wolde pleafe you fome daye^ 
A ballade booke before me for to laye. 
And lerne me to finge (Re mi fa fol) • 
And when I faile, bobbe mp on the noil. 

*' Ryot'' too, another character in the fame poem, is a 
muiical genius. 

And ay he fange in f4yth decon thou crewe (9)* 

He could likewife perform a popular piece of church mu(ic» 
and accompany his voice with the found of a flaggon ; 

Counter he coude (O lux) upon a potte. 

(8) Ad An. 1453. 

(9) This fong is again mentioned in Why come je not to Court. 

d 2 Wc 



lu DISSERTATION ON 

We have doabtlefs loft many of Skeltons ballads. In 
the enumeration of his works in ** Tbt CronvMg of Lawrgl^* 
he mentions feveral things which one may reafonably 
conclude to have been of that fpecies. For inftance : 

The ambles of venifon, the hotels of wyne. 

To faire mai ftres Anne that ihuld haue be fent» 

He wrote therof many a praty lyne 

Where it became^ and whither it went. 

And howe that it was wantonly fpent. 

The balade alfo of the muftarde tarte. 

Such problems to paint it longeth to his arte. 

From a paflage in Barclays Ship of Fo^ls it ihould ap- 
pear, that the practice of ferenading was as common m 
his time in the Itreets of London, as we are taught to 
believe it is at prefent in thofe of Madrid. 

The furies fearful, fprong of the floudes of hell» 
Berech tbefe uagabondes in their minds, fo 
That by no meane can they abide ne dwell 
Within their houfes, but out they nede muft go ; 
More wildly wandring then either bucke or doe. 
Some with their harpes, another with their lute. 
Another with his bagpipe, or a foolifhe flute. 

Then meafure they their fonges of melody. 

Before the doores of their lemman deare ; 

Howling with their foolifhe fonge and cry» 

So that their lemman may their great folly heare : 

And till the Jordan make them ilande areare. 

Cade on their head, or till the ftones flee, 

They not depart, but coney t there ilill to be (lo). 

In a very old Morality^ the earlieft piece of that de« 
fcription, perhaps, now extant, intitled, " The iiii £le« 



(xo) Hawkins's Hift. of MufiCfii. 139. 



mentf, 



\ 



ANCIENT SONGS AND MUSIC. 112 

incnts(i)/' " Sittjuall jippetiti,** one of the charaders, 
holds the following language : 

Make rome fyrs, and lee vs he mery. 
With huff a galand^ fynge tyrll on the bery, 
And let the wyde worlde wynde, 
Synge, fryflt a joly (2), with hey troly loly. 
For 1 fe well it is but foly. 
For to haue a fad mynd. 

And his advice to '' Humanitye** is. 

Ye fhulde euer fludy pryncypall 
For to comfort your lyfe naturall, 
With metis and drynkes dilycate. 
And other pailymes & pleafures among, 
Daufyngy laughyng, or plesaunt $ong£» 
This is mete for your eilate. 

The following fong, of this reign, appears worthy of 
notice, if it were but from the circumftance of explain* 
ing a feemingly corrupted pafTage of an ancient Scotifh 
writer, mentioned in a preceding page, who> according to 
Mackenzie, among the titles of popular fongs of the time, 
names 

Ceutbume the rajhe$ grent *, 

of which no one, it is fuppofed, has ever known what to 
make. For this difcovery, we are indebted to the old 
book among the Kings MSS. 

(i) It was printed by Raftall, and, from a paflTage alluding to, 
the difcovery of America, Dr. Percy concludes it not to have 
been written later than 1510. 

(a) «* He how frifca joly vnd^ the grenc wood tre," is the 
burthen of an ancient fong in the muucal volume among the 
Kings MSS. 

* See Lives of Scottifh Writers, iii. 44. The original, how- 
ever, (a moft rare book) reads 

** Cou thou me the rafchis grene«^* 

d 3 ^ Colic 



liv DISSERTATION ON 




Colle to me the ry&bys grene Colle to me 

■J.lJJJj.J>>5J.J Jj^ 




Colle to me the ryhhci grtuc Colle to me. 



For my paftyme ypon a day, 
1 walkyde a lone ryght fecretly; 
In a mornyng of lulty May, 
Me to reioyce 1 dyd a plye. 

Wher I faw one m gret dydrefTe* 
Complaynyng him thus pytuoufly : 
Alas ! he iayde, for my maftres 
J well fScyae that I (hall dye. 

Wythout that thus (he of hur grace 
To pety (he wyll fomewhat reuert, 
J haue mofl caufe to fay alas. 
For hyt ys (he that hath my hart. 

Soo to contynew whyle my lyff endor» 
Though I fore hur fliolde fafire deche. 
She hath my hart wych owt Recure, 
And euer (hall duryng my brethe. 

The burthen, C§ili to me. Sec. is, as nfual^ to t 
peated at the end of every (lanza. Bat the editor i 
neither be furprifed oor lorry to learn that this is n 
original fong. Colli is culL 



ANCIENT SONGS AND MUSIC. 



W 



The reader will pardon another extraft from the fame 
MS. of which the brevity may (trve to compenfate for 
whatever defeats it may have. 



^I>'''..1 ^'-Ui I 



2?r 



n 



^ ^>- 



Wellron wynde, when wyll thow blow(3), '^' Tmalle rayne 



i 



"^ a 



^^ Oj i 



s 



0^0' 



downe can Rayne. Cryft yf my love were in my armys 



1 



^^ 



^ 



Es:^ 



:s: 



±m 



and I yn my htd a gayne* 



Pattenham» in his j^rte ofEngUJh Poefii (1589, p, 12.) 
mentions " one Gray ** as having grown unto good efti- 
mation with king Henry VIII. and afterwards with the 



(3) This reminds one of a ftanza in an ancient and pathetic 
Scotifli ballad t 

Marti*mas wind, when wilt thon blaw 
And (bake the green leaves from the tree j 

O gentle death, when wilt thou come* 
For of my life I am wearie* 

d 4 duke 



W DISSERTATION ON 

dnke of Somerfet* protedor* ** for making certaine merry ' 
ballades, whereof one chiefly was, Thi buntg is vf, tb$ 
buMii is 1^." — ^Is this it ? 

The hunt is up. 

The hunt is up, 
And now it is almoft day ; , I 

And he that's in bed with another mans wife. 
It's time to get him away (4)* 

A foolilh pradice (which this little piece has brought Co 
mind) was introduced by the puritan reformers, of mo- 
raliiing, as they called it> popular fongs ; that is, paro- 
dying all but a few lines at the beginning of the fong, 
to favour their particular fn perdition, or the innovation 
they wiihed to effed (5). The following, indeed, is 
Scotiib, but as the meafure was not taken up in the 
North till there was no longer occafion for it in the Soutlh, 
and particularly as The Hunt is up was an Englifh fong, 
we may fairly enough lay claim to the honour ot the Tra» 
veilie. 

With hunts up. with hunts up. 
It is now perfect day ; 

(4) The following are the words of an ancient round for four 
Toices I 

The hunt is up, the hounds ar in the fyld. 
The chafe is up and newly gone ; 
Up then and folow at hand for (hame, 
£ls thow art lyke to leefe the game. 

(5) Thofe modem puritans the methodifts have adopted a 
fimilar pradlice, and iing their hymns to popular fong-tunes, 
which one of their leaders ufed to fay, had been too long de* 
voted to, or were too good for, the devil. This foolery is ad- 
mirably ridiculed by Shakfpeare, where he fpeaks of the puritan 
who ** fings fjalms to hornpipes.'''' Sec Winters Taie* 

Jefai 



ANCIENT SONGS AND MUSIC. U'd 

Jefus our king is gone a hunting, 
Who likes to i'peed they may. 

There are feveral other ilanzns, but none which appears 
to have any allulion to the original fong (6). 

The earlieft of thcfe parodies feems to be one at the 
end of a MS. in the Kings Library (17. B. XLIII.) where 
it is written as p/oi'e. The beginning is given for the 
iake of the original words, the refl is fanatical tra(h. 

Co horn* agayn', 

Co horn' agayne. 
Mi nowne fwet hart, com home agayne; 

Y* are gone a ftray 

Out of you' way. 
There [for] co home agayne. 

A popular fpecies of harmony arofe in this reign, of 
which the following colledion will afford a few examples ; 
it was called King Henrys Mirth, or Freemem Songs (7), that 
monarch being a great admirer of vocal muiic, and evrn 
having the reputation of a compofer. Freemens Songsh a 
corruption of Three mens fongs^ from their being generally 
{or three voices. Thus the clown in Shakfpeares /l^/ii/^/ 
Tale : — " She hath made me four and twenty nofc-gay« 
for the (hearers : three -man-fong-men all, and very good 
ones."— And Carew, in a pafjage quoted at the end of 
the following colleftion, cxprefsly calls John Dory ** an 
old Three mans Song,** In the Turnatnent of Tottembaim 
we read of mdody aelicious of fix menysjang 1^8). 

(6) See •• a fpecimen of a book, intituled* Anc compendious 
Booke of Godly and Spiritual Sangs, &c. Edinburgh, printed 
by Andro Hart." Edin. 1765, 8vo. 

(7) Seep. 159, 163, &c. 

(8) Before, p. 1. Are we from this exprcflion to conclude 
that this was a6lually a fong in fix parts, or only that fix men 
joined in fingi.ng the fame melody ? 

The 



Iviii DISSERTATION ON 

The religioas morality of Lnfty Jwventus, written and 
printed in the reign of Edward VI. opens with a fong, 
which^ as it is but ihort, may be given entire. 

In a herber grene aflepe where as I lay. 

The byrdes lange fwete in the middes of the daye, 

I dreamed fall of myrth and play : 

In youth is plealure, in youth is pleafore. 

Methough I walked (lil to and fro. 
And from her company 1 could not go ; 
But when I waked it was not fo : 

In youth is pleafure, in youth is pleafure. 

Therforc my hart is furdy pyght 
Of her alone to have a fight. 
Which is my joy and hartes delyght : 

In youth is pleafure, in youth is pleafure* 

Towards the end is another, but of lefs merit, in the fame 
meafurAw 

In a MS. of Bennet college library, Cambridge, (N" 
lo6) are two ballads upon the inciofure of commons, 
which appears to have caufed great diilurbances in this 
reign. 

The amorous and obfcene fongs ufed in the cour^ of 
this virgin prince, gave fuch fcandal to Thomas Stern- 
hold, *• being,** as Wood fays, " a moi^ zealous protef- 
tant and a very (Iridi liver, that he forfooth turned into 
Engliih metre 51 of Davids Pfalms, and caufed muficall 
notes to be fet to them, thinking thereby that the cour- 
tiers would fing them inttead of their fonnets, but did not, 
only fome few excepted C9)*" 

(9) Atbena Oxon'ienfes^ i. 76. But fee Puttenham, Artt of 
Engli/b Poefte^ p. 12. where he fays that ** king Henry the 8, 
for a few Plalmes of Dauid turned into Engliih meetre by Stem- 
hold, made him groome of his piiuy chamber, & gaue him 
many other good gifts.'* 

Long 



ANCIENT SONGS AND MUSIC. Km 

Long before the reign of qaeen Elizabeth, priated 

jbogs and ballads had become common. Laneham, de* 

fcribing the curious literary colledion of Captain Cox^ 

the mafon of Coventry, has the following words : '* What 

ihoold I reheari heer, what a bunch of ballets and fongs, 

ALL ANCiENT.'i«-Asy Broom Bfoom on Hil— Sowoiz me 

begon, troly lo(io)— Over a Whinny Wcg — Hey ding a 

ding (i)— Bony Lafs upon a Green — My bony on gave 

me a Bek — By a Bank as I lay (2), and a hvndkbd 

MORE, he hath fair wrapt up in parchment, and bound 

with a whipcord (3)«" The word ancient would 

fcarcely be applied to any thing of a later date than the 

(10) Seefonglir. clafs III. « Brume on HIP is likewifc 
mentioned in the- Complaint of Scotland. 

(i) Has not this been the ballad of Old Sir Simon the Kiag f 

Says old Sir Simon the king, 
Says old Sir Simon the king. 

With his aledropt hofe. 

And his malmfey nofe, 
Sing hey ding ding a ding ding* 

Q. Where it is to be found ? 

(»5 This laft fong is prefei ved in the old MS. already men- 
tioned to have been found^among the books of the Kings Library 
in the Mufeum, It is a love fong, but without any other merit 
than antiquity* 

(3) Letter from ;Killingwoorth, Lend. 1575, ixmo* b. 1* 
Thefe printed ballads foon begun to be hawked up and down 
the country in ba(kets. In the pleafaunt and ftately Mora)) of 
the three Lordes and three Ladies of London, 1590, 4to.<b. 1* 
Simplicities ** in bare blacke, like a poore citiztn," on being 
a(ked what daintie fine ballad he has now to be fold, fays, 
** Marie, child, I haue Chipping Norton — A Mile from Chappel 
o*the Heath— A Jamentable ballad of Burning the Popes Dog— 
The fweet ba^fade of The Lincolnfhire Bagpipes — and Peggy 
and Willy— -But now he is Dead and gone— Mine own fweet 
Willy is laid in his grave, la, la, la, Ian ti dan dan da dan, Ian tt 
dan, dan tan derry do." And that it was the " vocation '* of 
fuch a fellow to '' bear his part *^ in a fong, appears from the 
chamber of Autolycus, in the Winters Tale* 

time 



Ix DISSERTATION ON 

time of Henry VIIL Indeed their antiquity may be pre* 
fumed from another circumiUnce^ not one of them being 
now extant. 

From " a very mery and pythle commedie/' called 
•* The longer thoa Jiueft the more Fool thoa art, . . • 
** a myrrour very neceflarie for youth, and fpecially for 
foch as are like to come to dignicie and promotion^ • . • . 
newly compiled by W. Wager," imprinted at London, Sec 
in 4to. bl. 1. without date, fome time in the reign of 
queen Elizabeth, we glean fcraps of a great many iongs, 
jnoll or perhaps all of them even at that time old, with 
ibme of which the reader can fcarcely choofe but be en- 
tertained, which may ferve as an apology for the length 
of the quotation. 

'< <r Here entreth Moros, counterfaiting a vaine gef- 
tore and a foolilh countenance, fynging the foote of many 
Songes, AS pooles wbre wont." 

Moros, Brome, brome on hill. 

The gentle brome on hill hill : 

Brome, brome on Hiue hill. 

The gentle brome on Hiue hill. 

The brome ftaodes on Hiue hill a. 

C Robin, lende to me thy bowe, thy bowe, 

Robin the bow, Robin, lend to me thy bow a (4.). 

ff There was a mayde come out of Kent, 

Deintie loue, deintie lone ; 

There was a mayde cam out of Kent^ 

Daungerous be : 

There was a mayde cam out of Kent, 

Fayre, propre, fmall and gent. 

As euer vpon the grounde went. 

For fo fhould it be. 

9 By a banke z^ I lay, I lay, 

Mufinge on thitigs paft, hey iiow. 

M See fong XI. clafs IV. 

IT Tom 



ANaENT SONGS AND MUSIC. Id 

tr Tom a Lin and his wife^ and his wiues mother. 

They went ouer a bridge all three together^ 

The bridge was broken and they fell in^ 

The deuill go with all, quoth Tom a Lin (5). 

% Martin Swart and his man, fodledum fodledum, 

Martin Swart and his man, fodledum bell (6}. 

€ Com ouer the boorne Beffc, 

My little pretie Beffe, 

Com ouer the boorne BefTe to me (7). 

« The white done fat on the callell wall. 

1 bend my bow, and (hoote her I (hall ; 

I put her in my gloue both fethers and all. 

I layd my bridle upon the (helf. 

If you will any more ling it yourfelfe* 

Moros having been interrupted by Difcifline^ goes oa 
us: 

I haue twentie mo fongs yet. 
A fond woman to my mother, 

(5) Of this fong the editor has fortunately met with a mo- 
rn printed copy, but much altered, it (hculd feem, from the 
iginal, beginning, 

Tommy Linn is a Scotchman born* 

the Complaint of Scotland, << Thorn of Lin ** is given as the 
me of a dance. 

(6) Skelton, laureat, (who died in 1529) has an evident allu- 
n to the fame fong : 

With hey troly loly lo, whip here Jak. 
Alumbekyo^/^/« fyllorym ben, 
Curiowfly he can both counter and knak 
Of Martyn Sivart and all bys mery men. 

Again ft a cornel v Coydrowne, &c« 
Works (1736) p. 254.. 

(7) Shakfpeare has put thefe thiee identical lines into the 
>uth of Edgar, in K. Lear. A moraiiiatiou of the fong is 
'ith the muiic} in the editor^ folio MS* 

As 



DISSERTATION ON 

As I war wont in her lappe to fit. 
She taught me thefe and many other; 
I can fing a fong of robin redbreft^ 
And my Title pretie nightingale. 
There dwelleth a icily Fofterhere by weft, 
Alfo I com to drink Torn of yoar Chriftmas ale* 
Whan I walke by my felfe alone* 
. ]t doth me good my fongs to render ; 
Such pretie thinges would (bone be gon. 
If I ihould not fome time them remembre* 

Moros. Before you go let vs haae a fong, 

I can retch vp to fmg, fol fa and pail. 

Idlinejfe. Thou had fonges good ftoare, fmg one» 
And we three the foote will beare. 

^oros. Let me lludy, it will come anone» 
Pepe, la, la, la, it is to hye there. 
So, ho> ho, and that is to lowe, 
Solly foil, fa, fa, and that is to flatte. 
Re, re, re, by and by you fhall knowe. 
My, my, my, howe faye you to that ? 

Idieues, Care not for the ' key,' bat what is thy fongf 

Moros. C I haoe a prety tytmoufe, 

jjj'— Come picking on my to, 

•7'""' Goffuppe with you I purpofc, 

tbijame. To drinke before I go. 

Moros. C Litle pretty nightingale, 
jj. .... Among the braunches greene (8), 
-^// iiu. Q^yg yg ^f y^y^ Chriftmafle ale, 

tbejam. ^^ the honour of faint Steuen. 

(8) This fong, with mufic, is in the old book already mention- 
ed among the Kings MSS. The iirft (lanza is as follows s 

The lytyll prety nyghiyngale, 

Among the leuys grcnc, ^ 

I woide I were wyth hur all nyght. 

But yet ye wot not whonie I mene. 

The laft line is the concluding one of each ftanza* 

Moroi 



ANCIENT SONGS AND MUSIC. IxiiS 

MwM* tr Robyn readbred with his noates, 
.. .... Singing a lofte in the querc, 

if// nil. Warncth to get you frele coates^ 
thejame. p^^. ^jjjj^j. then draweth nere, 
Morou C My brigle lieth on the fhelfe« 

Yf yon will haae any rnore^ 

Vouchfafe to fing it yourfelfe. 

For here you haue all my ftoare. 
Wratb. A fong much like thauthour of the fame. 

It hangeth together like fethers in the windc. 
Meros. This fong learned I of my dame. 

When fhe taught me muliard fede to grinde. 

Wrath feems to confider thefc fcraps as Morofes own in* 
vention ; and IdleneJJe having before told the company 
that he (Moros) could •* fing fonges and make rymes,** 
one might have cOnfidered him as an improvi/atoret or na« 
cural extempore poet^ if he had not himfelf told us how 
he came by them. ^ 

Ignorance^ in a dialogue between Impietii and CrueltU, 
is required to *' fing iome mery fong,*' which unforto- 
nately is not inferted^ owing to an ordinary practice of 
our early dramatiils, to leave the choice of the fong to the 
performer. Upon the whole^ this is certainly a mod cu* 
riotts piece, and it is much to be defired, that a colleflion 
of thefe ancient moralities were given to the public ; as 
they not only furniih numberlefs particulars of the do. 
mehic life and manners of our anceftors, but are befides 
infinitely more entertaining than any dramatic produc- 
tion befere the time of Shakfpeare. 

*' The ouer bufie and too fpecdy returneof one maner 
of tune," fays Puttenham, doth '* too much annoy & 
as it were glut the eare, vnlefTe it be in fmall and popular 
mufickesy fong by thefe Cantabanquiy vpon benches and 
barrels heads, where they haue none other audience then- 
boys or counirey fellowes that paffe by them in th6 ftreet, 
or elfe by blind harpers, or fuch like tauerne minftrels, 
that give a fit of mirth for a groat^ i^c. alfo they be vfed 
5 in 



Ixiv ' DISSERTATION ON 

in carols and roonds, and fuch like light or lafciuioni 
poemsy which are commonly more commodioudy vttered 
by tbefe buffons or vices in playes, then by any other 
perfon (9)." 

Webbe alfo cenfures the vulgar fongs of his time, which 
he calls " a few balde ditties made ouer the beere potts, 
which are nothing lelTe then poetry (10)." 

The fong in Gammer Gurtons Garland, firft printed ia 
1575, which begins, 

I cannot eate but lytle meate, 

has been often mentioned as the fird drinking fong of any 
merit in the language, and as fuch has been frequently 
printed. It is certainly a fingular performance, and de- 
ferves to be well known (i). 

In an old pamphlet by Henry Chettle, intitled, 
<' Kind- Harts Dreame," &c. 410. black letter, without 
date, but fuppofed to be printed in i59Z» is contained 
an ironical admonition to the ballad-fingers of London, 
from Antony Now Now (2), or Antony Munday, a great 
ballad- writer, wherein he fays, '* When I was liked, there 
was no thought of that idle upflart generation of ballad- 
fingers, neither was there a printer fo lewd that woald 
fet his finger to a lafciuious line." Bat now, he adds, 
" ballads are abufively chanted in every flreet; and from 
London this evil has overfpread EiTex and the adjoining 
counties. There is many a tradefman, of a worfhipfall 
trade, yet no ftationer, who after a little bringing vppc 
apprentices to iinging brokerie, takes into his (hoppe fome 
frefli men, and truiles his olde feruantes of a two months 

(9) Arte of Englifh Poefie, p. 69. 

(10) Oifcouife of Englifh Poetrie, 1585, 4.(0. black letter, 
fig. c. iii. 

(i) See it in the « Seleft Colleaion of Englifh Songs,'' al- 
ready cited. 

(1) See fong XIX. clafs V. of the following colleaion. 

ftandiog 



AMCIENft SONCS AND MOSlC. Ix* 

inding with a doflca gr<Mt9fforih of ballads. In 
hich« if they prove thiime, he makes them prety chap- 
men, able to fpred more pamphlets by the ftate forbidden » 
lan all the bookfellers in London, ice J* The names of 
any ballads are here ghrtn, as '' Wsakins AU^ Tbt Car^^ 
QMS Wbifili» Cboppiug'kni'uut and Friir FoX'taiIi{^). 
nd out-roaring Dick and Wat Wimbars, two celebrated 
ebles, are faid to have got twenty (hillings a day ^ by fing* 
tg at Brain tree fairin Effex (4). 

Biihop Hall thus cenfures the number of ballads pnb» 
ihed in his time 2 

Some drunken rimer thinks his time well fpent« 
If he can live to fee his name in print ; 
Who, when he is oiice fleihed to the preiTe* 
And fees his handfelle have fuch faire fnccefle. 
Sung to the wheel, and fung unto the payle» 
He fends forth tlMves of ballads to the fale (c). 

By 

(i) ** I fllould hardly be perfwaded, that anie profeflbr of fo 
C9ellent a fcience [at printing] would bee Co impudent, to print 
(ch odious and lafciuious ribauldrie, as WdtkiMS AUf Tbe Car» 
ans WUfile^ and ftindrie fuch other.** Letter (with the fiena- 
ire T. N. to his good friend Aj[nthonv] M [unday]) prenzed 
Tthe latters tranflation of « Genleon or England* The fecond 
irt, &c/* X5929 4to. black letter. The objefl of this abufivo 
tter has poffibly been Thomas Delony. The tune of Watkins 
U, was in one of Dr. Pephufchs MSS. See Wards Lives of 
le Profeflbrs of Gre(ham College (the Mufeum copy) p. 199* 
'he Carmen of this age thould feem to have been fingularly 
imous for their mufical talents. Juftice Shallow, according to 
aHtaffs fatyrical defcription, ** came ever in the rear-ward of 
le falhion $ and Tung thofe tunes to the over-fcutcht hufwives, 
lat he heard the carmen ivbiftle, and fware they were his fancies, 
r bis good-nightsr % Hea. IV. Aft IIL Scene II. Skeltoa 
ys of a profelTor in his time : 

He whyftelyth fo fwetelyi he maketh me to fwet» 

(4) Wartons Hiftory of Englifli Poetry, vol. iii. p. 191. 
(^) Virgedemiav«im> 1597. Ht very probably alludes to the 

• peerleff 



km DliSELTiLTIOX OS 

fang by d»idi>j[iiaDMi| 




Iff? nmhrri — idh, whiu dKf At fit and y^sa^ 



AlUuiiii^ pcrtaps or die 6irie of cite Cit7 MaaSs mi 
T\e fiimj^: and t^ koizsrs ia die foa 



Tliu MtmraUe tmccr cpipofrf tbe soft besedfel 
jod eacrCot tep^ wkkk ■• oae (to Ev aa we kaeor} can 
be fatd fo kave 4mmt bdbce hiei (61 ; aor kaa asf obc ex- 
ceded JuA face* Masy e# ikea Jusc bcai alicady ia- 



ftttrle{$ EUertiMy who wa* so lei* Eumqs for kit dnatkcaads 
ffuM kif ^sCtry^ ** Thomu [r. Widiuc] Eltitxvoa, who did 
arm iMintdl w^ al^ ^ old ladicy EiuiLas did widi wise} «faca 
lie bai i a ced^ kud tbi.;, »a that raped nadc to hia mcaory. 

iiu JUmj ijt fitUM: a:qu£ thrimi EUfrtmmij 
^Jgii Uu0g inc Jksu *fi ? kic pittas >ft/ e0, 

CaawtfTS RemaiBSy p. 535. 

Of this epieaph. Dr. Pcrcv has gmn the foUowia^ vtrfion bf 
Oidyj* ' 

De^ui druok here EMtrton doth lie | 
Dead a« he U, he ftill is diy: 
Su <A him :t may well be faid. 
Here tie, but not bis thirft is hud. 

{ff) Or It lead but one, Marlows ** Paffionata Shepherd to 
hi> LoTf,** if the only inftaoce that can be excepted* 

lerted 



ANCI£NT SONGS AND MUSIC. kni 

ferted in a more refined colle^ipn than the following (7), 
in which however fome of his lighter pieces will be found 
in their doe place. In the plays of this favourite of the 
mufesy we find a number of fragments of old fongs and 
ballads, which will afford us infinite amnfement in our 
porfoit. 

In the Comedy of Ttvel/ih Ni^ht, A€t ii. Scene 3. 
Sir Toby, on the Clowns entering, fays, " Now let's have 
a catch.'* •* By my troth," exclaims Sir Andrew, '* the 
fool hath an excellent bread. I had rather than forty 
fhillings I had fuch a leg ; and fo fweet a breath to fing as 
the fool has. • . . Now a fong.** Sir To6j, " Let's 
have a fong." *• Would you have a love-long," fays 
the Clown, ** or a fong of good-life," (1. e, a jolly 
bacchanalian fong)? '* O," fays Sir Toby, •* A lovc- 
fong, a love fong." ** Ay, ay,'* adds Sir Andrew (mifcon- 
ceiving the term) ** I care not for good-life.** Upon this 
the Clown fiugs a fong, beginning 

O miflrefs mine, where are you roaming. 

Which, though it does not at prefent appear to have any 
great merit, is pronounced by Sir Andrew, to be ** ex- 
cellent good i'faith." They prefently " make the welkin 
dance," and *' rouze the night-owl,'* with the catch of 
Ho/^i thy peace tbou knave^ which is ftill preferved. Sir 
Toby, being ** in admirable fooling,'* fings, •* Tbret ^ \ 
merry men nue ^^,"-^" There dwelt a man in Babylon^** and 
" O, the Twelfth Day of December ;" of which the two 
firft are extant, but the laft is unfortunately loft. An« 
other, beginning 

Fare'well dear hearty Jince I muft needs hi gone. 

Of which they fing a few lines, is likewife preferved. 
Shakfpeare takes every opportunity of difcovering his 
attachment for thefe old and popular reliques. In the 
fame play Orfino fays, 

(7} See the co!le£lioB of fongs referred to in a preceding 
note. 

• a Now 



lifiii DISSERTATION ON 

Now good Cetuio, bat that piece of fong. 
That old and antique fong we had laft night, 
Methought it did relieve my paffion much. 
More than light aun and recolle&ed terms 
Of thefe mol brifk and.giddy-paced ttmei. 

The Clown being accordingly broaght in to fing it> tht 
duke proceedi : 

O fellow, come, the fong we had lafl night : — 

Mark it, Cefario, it is old and plain : 

The fpinfters and the knitters in the fan. 

And the free maids that weave their thread with 

bones> 
Do ufe to chant it ; it is filly footh, 
And dallies with the innocence of love. 
Like the old age. 

The words, indeed, are fcarcely anfwerable to the enlo- 
ginm ; but united to the air, might have had all the ef- 
fect npon the audience the author propofed. 

In the conrfe of this play, we have another fcrap frtn 
the Clown : 

Hey Robin, jolly Robin, 

Tell me how thy lady does. 
My lady is unkind perdie, 

Alas, why is flie fo f 
She loves another. ' ■ ■ 

He alfo concludes the piece with an epilogue fong, of 
which the firfl Hanza is. 

When that J was and a little tiny boy. 
With hey ho, the wind and the rain ; 

A foolifii thing was but a toy, 
for the rain it ralneth every day. 

1$ 



ANCIENT SONGS AND MUSIC. lxi« 

t is rtmarkable that Shakefpeare pats thefe (hreds chief- 
f into the mouths of his fools and lanatics. Edgar, in ' 
Liag Lear^ perfonating the charafter of a Bedlamite,' 

Sleepeft or wakeft thou jolly (hepherd f 

Thy fheep be in the corn, 
And for one blaft of thy minikin mootb# 

Thy (heep ihall take no ha>m. 

Lgain : 

Child Rowland to the dark tower came. 

lis, if a fong, was probably fome tranflation from the 
rench or Spanilh. Rowland is the Orlando of the ItA- 
an romancers, who had him from France, an4 wr% him 
> Spain. As to the words which follow, thiey have not' 
le leaft connexion with Child Rowhmd, bvt belonf iif * 
:ed to the fiory of Jack tbg Giant Kilkr •* 

His word was ftill, fie, foh» and fam, 
I fmell the blood of a Britifli-maa. 

Some of the little effnfions attered hf OphtUfiy m 
^mfln, are very pathetic. For inftance : 

He is dead and gone» lady. 

He is dead and gone ; 
At his head a grais-green turf. 

At his heels a flone. 

White his ihroud as the moantain fnow. 

Larded with fweet flowers; 
Which bewept to the grave did go. 

With true love ihowers* 

namber of thefe fragments liaving been ingenioufly 
wked up by Dr. Percy into a little tale, in humble 
Mtatioa ^f (9 itfpeftable an eanaiflc, ^liiethipg of 

#3 the 



Ixx DISSERTATION ON 

the fame natare is attempted In the following colkc* 

tion* 

Mailer Silence, in his caps, has a ftanza for every oe- 
cafion : we fhall do nothing, fays he, but 

Eat and drink, and make good chear« 
And thank God for the merry year. 
When nefh is cheap, and females dear. 
And lufty lads roam here and there 
So merrily, and ever among To merrily. 

Again : ^ 

" 'ft) I-!. 

-: Be merry, be meny, my wife has all ; 
. •''• For wtomen^are ihrews, both (hort and tall | 
'Tis merry in haJl, when beards wag all j 
. And w<}lcom4( merry Shrove- ti4?. 
Be merry, be merry. 

Again: 

A cup of wine, Ihat's brifk and fine, 
»! .6Aiid.dri»k imto the lepan mine;; 
And a merry heart hyes long -a. 

In the comedy of Much Ado about Nothing, Benedick 
attempts to fing the following lines ; 

The God of love 
That fits above. 
That knows me, and knows me. 
How pitiful I deferve. 

This is the beginning of an old popular fong by Will 
Elderton ; a puritanical parody of which h now ex- 
tant (8}« 

(t) In tlA" mafqaierade fcene m the third AB of this tday, 
Benedick angers Beatrice, by telling her that {om^ one had faid 

of 



ANCIENT SONGS- AND MCJSiC. Ipxi 

la The Knight of the Burning Piftli, by Beaumont and 
letcher> Old Merry Thought fings a variety of (hreds, 
hich have all the appearanee of Ming frafgiftents of old 

She cares not for her daddy^ nor 
She cares not for help mammyy for 

She is, ihe ibs ihe is. 
My lord of Lowgraves lafly. 

Give him flowers enow. Palmer ; gite him flowers 

enow; 
Give hini red and white^and blue, green and yellow*. 

• ■ ■ 

Go from my windowi love, go ; 
Go from my window, my dear ; 

The wind and ch^rain 

Will drive yoa* back again. 
Yon cannot* be lodged here* • 

Begone, begone, my j»ggf , my paggy^ 
Begone, my love^ my dttar: 

The weather is wanUi 

*T will do thee no harm ; 
Thou canil: not be lodged l^re« 

nd in the tragedy of Bomduca, Junius £ngs: 

She fet the {v9Cji^. muXo her breaft. 

Great pity it wlft to fee. 
That three drops of her life-warm bIood> 

Run trickling down her knee^ 

r ** that ihe was dirdainful, and had her good wit out of the 
mb^ed merfy tales^'' an old colle6(ion well known in Shak- 
»res time; but being now loft, the late editors have pro- 
unced it a.tranOation of Les Cent NowuelUt Nowvglles^ which 
sre needs no other evidence that they hnvjt nearer read. , 

e 4 Again : 



Isdi DISSERTATION ON 

Agun : 

It was an oM tale tcp (j^oofand tines told. 
Of a young lady was tarn'd ioto mould. 
Her life it was lovely, her death it was bold* 

Thefe fragments are the rather noticed, as they mar 
chance to prove (he means of recovering the entire ballad. 

Toward the end of the. long reign of queen Elizabeth, 
Richard Johnfon, author of the Hidory of the Seven 
Champions of Chriflendom, and Thomas Deloney, the 
hiilorian of the Gentle Craft, &c. wrote ballads for the 
jprefs, to be fong about the ilreets of London* and up 
and down the country, in which they feem to have cx« 
celled both their predecefTors and contemporaries* for 
though Elderton was known and celebrated for the prince 
of ballad-mongers, and feems to have made the com po- 
rtion of fuch things his fole profeffioH, yet are thofe of 
his, which have come down to us, by no means to be 
compared to fuch as> upon the authority of the di£erent 
garlands publiflied under their refpedive names, wf may 
reafonably attribute to Johnfon andveloney (9). 

Of the merits of Anthony Munday as a ballad -writer, 
we have no opportunity to judge; not a fmgle fpecimen 
of his abilities in that line being now to be difcovered. 

V. *^ The number of ancient printed fongs and ballads 
tvhich have perifhed muft be confiderable. Very few exift 
cf an earlier date than the reiga of James, or even of 

(9) Sec f« The Crown Qarland pf Gplden Rofcs,'' by Ri- 
chard Johnfon [x6ii. Bib. Bod,] 1683. " The Garland of De- 
light," containiiig Chronicles Hiftories, &c. written by Thomas 
IJelohe, the thirtieth edition, s68x, t%mo. b. ]. — « The Royal 
GarJind," by T. D. 1681 5 and in " The Garland of Good 
Will," by T. D. 1688, all in the Pepyfian library. From theft 
it (hould appear, that Deloney was ^uthot of FairJio/aMond, ont 
•f the beft of the tld EnglUh balladf • 

Charles 



ANCIENT SONGS AND MUSIC. Ixxiii . 

jCfcarlcs the firft (lo). Being printed only cmi fingle fntets, 
wjuch would fall chiefly into the hands ci the vulgar, 
who had no better method of preferving their favourite 
xcunpofitions, than by pafling them upon the wall\i)y 
their dcftruAion is cafily accounted for. The practice 
of collecting them into books, did not take place till 
after qoeen Elizabeths time, and is probably owing to 
Johnfon and Deloney, who, when they were advranced in 
years, and incapable perhaps of producing any thing of 
merit, feem to have contented themfelves with collect- 
ing their more juvenile or happier compofitions into 
little penny books, entitled Garlands : of thefe, being 
popular and often reprinted, many are ilill extant, parti- 
cularly in the Pepyiian library (2). 

Thofe pieces which we now call old ballads, fuch as Fair 
Rofamond, The Children in the Wood, and the Ladys 
Fall, which an ingenious writer feem s to confidcr ''as the 
matiye (pectus of poetry of this country (3)>" are compa- 
ratively 

(xo) The oldeft printed ballad known to be extant, is that on 
the downfal of Thomas Lord Cromwell, in 154-0, reprinted by 
Pr. Percy. 

(f ) This meafure, which may in fome parts be ftill obfenred* 
is alluded to by Cott«n i 

We in the country do not fcom. 

Our walls with ballads to adorn, ■ 

Of patient Griflel and the Lord of Lorn* 

And by Swift I 

The ballads pafted on the wall 

Of Joan of France, andEnglifh Mall *• 

(2) See Percy, i. Ixxvii. and the preceding page. 

(3) Aickin, ElTays on Song Writing, p. *?• " Many of 
the ancient ballads," he fays, *^ have been tranfmitted to the 

* Thefe ladies are only mentioned as probable fubjeds j there Is na 
frog about either* 

frefbat 



Ixxiv DISSERTATION ON 

ratively modern^ that is of the earlier part of the laf( 
century, not one of them being found in print, or noticed 
in any book before its commencement (4). Queen Dido« 
to be fure, from its popularity at that time, would feea 
to be fomewhac older, and is probably one of the oldeftj 
as it is certainly one of the bed we have. '* O yoa ale« 
knights/' exclaims an old writer, " you that deuoure the 
marrow of the mault, and drinke whole aktubs into con- 
fumptions; that fing <^eene Djdo ouer a cupp^ and 
tell Grange news ouer an alepot, Sec (5)/' 

If indeed, by *' native fpecies of poetry,'^ is meant a 
fpecies peculiar to this country, it is very certain that 
we have as little pretenfion to originality in this refped 
as in any other ; of which a very flight acquaintance with 
the ballad poetry of other countries will be fufficient to 
prove. Our mofl ancient popular ballads, if we may 
judge from the few fpecimens preferved, were fingularly 
jmde, ahd not above two or three of thefe are known to 

prefent times, and in them the character of the nation difplays 
jtfelf in ftrikine colours. The boaftfiil hiftory of her vi£lories, 
the i^rowefs of her favourite kings and captains; and the Won- 
dertul adventures of the legendary faint and knight-errant, are 
the topics of the rough rhyme and unadorned narration, whith 
was ever the delight of the vulgar, and is now an oh]tB: d 
curiodty to the antiquarian and man of tafte.** The tliultration 
of this paffage by appofite examples, would have been a favour 
to readers lefs happy m their refearches after thefe rough rhymes 
and unadorned narrations than the author* 

(4) The earlieft notice of any of thefe old ballads, is that 
which Shakefpeare has put into the mouth of FalftaflP, in the 
fecond part of K. Hen. IV. A61 ii. Scene 4. 

When Arthur iirft in court began. 

Which was at that time in all probability a new and popular 
ballad ; and likely enough by Richard Johnfon, who had a great 
turn for fubje£ls of chivalry and romance. 

(5) Jackeof Douer, his Qiiell of Inquirie, &c» 16041 4to» 
(fig. 2.) 

S have 



ANCIENT SONGS AND MUSIC. ' Ixxr 

hi^ been j^rinted for the people (6). It is barely poflible 
that fometbing of the kind mf y be ftill preferved in the 
country by traditiOtt* The Editor has frequently heard 
of traditional fonp, but has had very little fncxefs in his 
etidearvbun to hiear the fotogs ^nemfelves (7). 

Ail ingeilioQs Frenchman hlls projected the hiftory of Hir 
obUtftry by a chr6nological fi^ries of fongs and ballads (d)» • 
And the mnlticflde of MS. and print^ collections pre^ 
fferved ill the royal libhu-y, or otherwife attainable, would 
leaVe a diligent Cdiflpiler at no lofs for materials. A hif- 
Any of Enjlaiid' of this fort Would beiio lefsi interefting 
c^ delightful $ -but ihe talk is linpoiBbie (9). 

This^ 

' (6) Ante, p« xvri. xxii* 

^, (7) In a copy of yerfet addrefied to Mr. (now Dr.) Blacklock^ 
^y Richard Hewit, (a boy whoniy during his reiidence in Cum- 
1)^lan4> he ha^ taken to lead him}; on quitting his fervicey are 
^e fdllowing Imes \ 

How oft thefe plains Vye thoughtlefs preft ; 
'Whittled 9 or Tung fome fair diftreft) 
Whofe fate would fteal a tear. 

** AUudiisy/* as it IS faid in a note, ** to a fort of narrative 
ioDgf^ which make no inconiiderable part of the innocent a- 
jDufements with which the country people pafs the winter nights^ 
and of which the author of the prefent piece was a faithfuT re» 
hearfer.'* Blacklocks Poemst I75^» 8vo. p. y. It is a great 
pity^ if thefe pieces have any merit, that fome attempt is not 
made to preferve them« 

(8) M. Meufnier de Sluerlm^ Memoir e Htftoriquefur la awt" 
fin (tAntbolegie Fran^oifey tome L) p, 44, 45. 

(9} Dr. Percy having mentioned the *^ fabulous and romantic 

fangs which for a long time pre*vailed in France and England, h* 

fore they had books of chivalry in frofCi'' [Ql ^^here they ar$ If 

be fowid?'] obfcrvcs, that " in both thefe countries, the minfireU 

fill retained fo much of their original inftitution, as frequently 

to make true events the fubjeSl of their fongs ; ** and indeed^ 

that *' the memory of events was preferved and propagated 

among the ignorant laity > by fcarce any other means than the 

fopularfong* of the Minfrels j " adding in a note^ that ** tb§ 

Mditori 



tevi DISSERTATION ON, &e* 

This flight and imperfeft eflay ought not to be cot- 
doded without a wiih that they who are in pofleflion of 
curioiities of this nature, for almoft every fong prior to 
the commencement of the lail century is a curiofity, 
would contrive fome method or other of making them 
public, or at leaft of acquainting us with their exigence, 
and thereby preferving them m>ni that defbudion to- 
which they are otherwife fo exceedingly liable. With 
refpe£t to the colle£don now produced, there is fcarce a 
public library which has not been explored, in order to 
furnifli materials for it. Its contenu, indeed, are far 
from numerous ; a defed, if it be one, which neither leal 
nor induftry has been able to remedy. 

Editors MS. contains a multitude of poms of this latter kind."* 
With refpe6l to the contents of this famous and extraordinary 
MS. enough has been already faid. It is obfervable, however, 
that not one of this multitude hat made its appearance in pulitr 
lie. 






it\ . 



tONTENT% 




( lxxv& % 



CONTENTS. 



'\BSERrJTIONS on tbe Ancient Englijh Minf^ 
' trels ir- — — Page i 

HJfertation on tht Songs, Mufic, and vocal and inftrw 
puntal Firfirmaucci of tht Ancient Englijb — xxvii 



CLASS THE FIRST, 

1. A Song or Catch in Praife of the Cuckonu Page j 

2. A Ballad againfi the Scots — « .. ^ 
'^. A Ballad againft the French — — l8 
^ Song ** in Fraife of the Authors Mifire/sy <whofe 

Name <was Alyfoun " — -^ •:— • 24 

5« A home Song, ** luhofe Author defcrihes his beauti" 

fulhut unrelenting Miftrefs^^ — — 26 

6, A Song on his Mifirefs, *' ivhpm he admires as the 
faireft Maid hituene Lyncolne and Lyndefejcy Nor-- 
bantptony and Lounde (i.e. London)*' — 30 

^. A Song fetting forth the good EffeBs of the Spring 3 1 
8. A Ditty upon the Uncertainty of this Life, and the 

Approach of Death — — —.33 

p. A Song upon the Man in the Moon — — 34 

o. A Song •' made A, D, 1308, in Fraife of the 'va- 
liant Knight Sir Fiers de Birmingham, nxjho awhile 
he li'vedy tvas a Scourge to the Irifl), and died 
A.D. J2S8" — -— — 38 

X. A'^eyn mi If ilk, I take mi leue — — 44. 



CLAS S 



Ixxviii CONTENTS, 



CLASS THE SECOND. 

1. Robin Lytb — — — ^g 

2. Requiem to the Confpirators againft Henry IF. — 51 

3. Satire aginfi the Lollards — —.61 

4. A Roundell of * Kyng Henry ye Sext* ay ens bis 

Coronation i made By Lydegate Daun John — 70 

5. A Roundel on Bortune -^ mmm — 71 

6. A Song on an inconftant Miftrefs •—• -—72 

7. A Song on the I'vy and the Holly — _ 7^ 
8« y^ ^(^/Jg" /« Prai/e of Sir Penny — — 76 
9. " LytyllThanke''^ — — — 77 

10. A Chrijimas Carol — — -« 8l 

11. Carol for St, Stephens Day *— -« gj 

12. Carol for St, Edmunds Day — —8: 



CLASS THE THIRD. 

1 . JSalet, hy Anthony Wood'vyle Earl Ri'vers ^^ 86 

2. Gramercy myn ouun Purje -— m^, gn 

3. yr©/)' /(!? — — — ^^ gi 

4. 7*/^^ ^/«^ Maidens Complaint — »«i gi 
^. Upon the Inconfiancy of his Miftrefs — 08 

6. Manerly Margery^ milk and Ale -^ -« lOO 

7. -/^« amorous Struggle — - — * ..102 
^ Maides Denial — — — , iqa 

8. Doijuae, Belly, do^wne — _ jqc 

9. BeiAjare my lyttyll Finger — .^i. 107 
lo. Dialogue betnueen Tixjo Lovers — — no 
I ly In praife of the joyful Life of a Batchelor — 112 

12. My f'weie fueling — — ...i.. ni 

13. A^Lo've'] Songe — i — — n^ 

14. Song on the ViSory of Floddon Field — 115 
15.0 Death ^ rocke me on Slepe — -^ 1 20 
16. Befs, forfaken, maketh Complaint — — 122 

17. A Carolli 



QONTENTS. Laix 

ly, A Caroll, hringyng in the Bores Heed — ijzj 

\^, In die Nati'uitatis — — —127 

19, In die Nati^itatis — — —12$ 



CLASS THE FOURTH. 

1. ^e the Mare, Tom Boy — —,1^0 

2. In Difpraije of Women — _ 13^ 

3. Fyll the Foot Mayd — — — 136 

4. Captmn Car — — *— 137 

5. A mery Ballet of the Haihome Tre — -—146 
0. A Ballet — — — 14^ 
7. A Songet • . . By Mr. Qeorge Manningtonne "— 150 
S. 7i^ Three Ra'vens. A Dirge •— *" *55 
9. The over-courteous Knight — — 159 

0. 7oi&» Dory — — — — l6j 

1. Robin i lend.to me'thy Bonxj *— — 166 

2. ri'/ ungrateful Knight, and the fair Floiver of 

Nor thuffsier land — — - — 169 

3. The Weavers Song — — *"" ^75 
13. Songf in Imitation of Marlo^w — — • 17S 

4. Sri&^ Spring Time* * ^ Shakfpeare — — 1 8a 

5. The Ftrwer of Mufic. By Shakfpeare — 182 
6* Hark I hark! the Lark, By Shakfpeare _ i8j 

7. The Jovial Tinker — — — 184 

8. :rii^ Lancajhire Song — — — l8» 



CLASS THE FIFTH. 

1 . The Life and Death of Sir Hugh of the Grime — 192 

2. Lay a Garland on my Hearfe — -—197 

3. The Mothers Lullaby — — — 19ft 

4. A lamentable Ballad ** of a Comb ate . . . be' 

tvneen Sir James Stevuard and Sir George Whar- 
ton " — — — 199 

5 • A Love Sonnet. By Majler Wither — — 205 

6. Courage 



Ixxx C O N T E N T i. 

6. Courage crooned fwitb Conjuefi; ** a brief ReUm 

tion^ b(nu that *v alt ant Knigbt . . • Sir Egla* 
more . . . fought nxjitb and . . . JU^n a ter-^ 

rible . • . Dragon^^ — — — Hi 

7. The Taming of a Shrenn — — aij 

8. Beauty incompatible tvitb Cbaftity — ^^^ 21\ 

9. A Ballad upon a Wtiding* My Sir ^obn Suckling 22} 

10. When the King enjoys bis o^n again — --i- J29 

1 1 . P hi llida flouts me ^--^ •-• — 135 

1 2. John and Joan \ OTy A mad Couple *well met -— l ^39 

13. Coridons Song^ in the Praife of a Countrytiums 

Life. ByJohnCbalkbill.Efq. — — 345 

14. The "i'wo conftant Lovers in Scotland \ or, A FeU" 

tern of true Love ■— ■ — • •*» 240 

§5. A Worjhipper of Cruelty •— — 260 

16. Tom of Bedlam — — • •—261 

17. Tom of Bedlam ^- — -^ 265 

18. Nenjues — — o^ _ 268 

19. O Anthony — — —.—, 270 

20. An old Song on the Spanijh Armado — •— 27 1 

21. The ne-iAj Courtier — — — 275 

22. The Prodigals Refolution% or. My Father ivas 

borne before me — — •*- 270 

23. The ToTon Gallant — — ..285 

24. The Dead'mans Song — — — 286 

25. The Winchefter Wedding — -— 295 

26. Shroivfljury for me — — • — . 290 

27. A Carrol for a WaffcUhovjl, to he fung upon 

T<welfth Day at Night — _ 304 

28. The Belgick Boar — — m^ ^qj 

Gloffary m^ — . — -i* 3 1 j 



Additional Notts 



— 330 



5IiIiC3(fi&iftC 





2iB€%^B€ ®^S<S<&* 



CLASS I. 

Comprehending the Reigns of Henry III. Es* 

WARD I. Edward II. Edward III* 

and Richard II. 



A SONG OR CATCH IN PRAISE OP THE 
CUCKOW. 

Till tttrioui pitci, tuhicb h ihnught tt it " tie mafi 
dmeitnt Englifi fing, tvilb [or tvitbeutl thi mufieal Mttt^ 
Mtf •wbtre ixlani ," is prifervid in a maHu/crift ef tit 
HarUiaa Library ^ in iht Mu/ium (N 978^. /( iai itn 
tdrtaij publipid by Sir Jiin Hatviiat in bii -otry in- 
B ftruaivt 



2 ANCIENT SONGS. 

inftru3i*ve and entertaining Hiftory ofMufic, FoL it. p. 93 ; 
and at p, 96 of the fame *volume it is reduced into the f cole 
of modern compojttion. The ingenious author remarks that 
*' Mr. Wanley has not ventured precifely to af certain the 
antiquity of this venerable mufical relic t* hut adds^ *' thai 
the following ohfervations nuill go near to fix it tQ about 
the middle of the fifteenth century .^ A conjeilure iunuhich 
he is, doubtlefs, greatly mifiaken, as the MS. is evidently of 
much higher antiquity ^ and may, with the utmofi probabi' 
lity, be referred to, as early a period (at leaft) as th$j$ar 
1250. So good a judge of ancient MS S* as MritfFass* 
ley ivas could never have been refirained by fear from 
giving his opinion of their age : that confideration, 
honvever, might have had its vjeight both vjith the 
learned hifiorian, and with thoje vuho have adopted hit 
opinion *. 

Under the words here given are thofe of a Latin hymn, 
to which Sir yohn Hawkins, on the authority ofDu Cange^ 
thinks the term Rota alone refers ; an opinion for vohich 
there does not appear fufiicient reafon ; the voord imply* 
ing no more than our RoUnd. And hence perhaps a 
pajfage in Shakfpeare may receive fome illufiration. In 
Hamlet, Ophelia, fpeaking of a ballad of '« The falje 
fieward who fiole his mafters daughter, ** exclaims -^^ 
** O hovj the wheel becomes it /^' evidently meaning the 
burthen or return of the fianza. 

A Rote was like wife an ancient mufical inftrument, 
as v:e may learn from Chaucer : 

*' fFel coude he fing and play en on a rote.** 

• l>r. Btirneyt T. ff^arton, 

8 ' ** As 



ANCIENT SONGS. 3 

** Jhi9 the mvfiCi the above learned writer oi/erves, 
" it is dearly of that /pedes of compofition kuo^wn hy the 
name of Canon in the unifon. It is calculated for four 
^me€S, with the addition of t<wo for the Pes, as it is 
called, which is a kind of ground^ and is the bafis of the 



«« li is ohfer*vahle,^* continues he, " that the mof asf^ 
dent /pedes ofmu/cal imitation is the/ong 0/ the Cuckoiv, 
which mufi appear to he a natural and 'uery oh<vious fuh- 
jea /or it. Innumerable,*' he /ays, «* are the inftdnces 
that might be produced to this purpofe ; a ^very fine ma^ 
drigal. in three parts, compo/ed by Thomas Weelkes, or^ 
gamift 0/ Chichejler cathedral, about the year 1600^ he^ 
gemming • The Nightingale the organ 0/ delight,^ has in 
it the Cuckow^s/ong. Another 0/ the /ame kind, not le/s 
axeellemt, in /onr parts, beginning * Thirfis Jleepeft thou?* 
occurs in the Madrigals 0/ John Bennet, puhlijhed in 
1599. ViraldVs Cuckow concerto,*^ he adds, ** is well 
known, as is al/o that 0/ Lampe, compo/ed about thirty 
years ago** 




Vmer if icumen in. Lhudefingcuccu.Growel^redandblowei' 



^■S . .| 'Vi i ^ 




med and fpringp t'C wde nu. Sing cuccu Awe blete)? after 



B % 



lomb. 



ANCIENT SONGS. 



m 



iMtT'V^ ^ 




lomb. lhout> after calue cu. BuUuc ilerte)'. bocke uerte)» 




:£k 



^F^=^ 




Murie Hng cuccu* Cuccu cuccu Welfiogesf^ucuccttnefwik 



S5 



:^^=i=ft 



J'u oauer nut 





Hanc rotam cantare poirunt quatuor fof 
cij. A paucioribuf autem qm a Cribus ul* 
faltem duobus no debet dici. pre^ eofqui iit 
cut pe*l>em. Cani€ aute fie. Tacc tib3 cciif 
un inchoat cu hijfq* tenet pe*toe. £t cu ue# 
nerit ad pmam notam poft cruce / inchoar 
aliuf. 7 fic de ceteris. 

""(ingri u repaufent ad pauficonef 

fc ptaf J. n alibi / fpacio nniuf 

longe note. 



Hocrepetit urf quocienf o^ eft/ 
facienf paufacionem In fine. 



ing cuccu nu. Sing cuccu. 





log cuccu. Sing cuccu nut 



Hoc dicit all! paufanf in medi» 
;^ n in fine. Si inme'^iate re# 
petes pnciptu* 



II. A 



ANCIENT SONGS. 



n. 

A BALAD AGAINST THE SCOTS, 

*' many of fwJbem are ben mentioned by name, as alfo 
many oftbe Englijh befedes the King ^ Prince, But parti' 
cuiariy, ofWilUam Walleys taken at the Battel of Dunbar, 
A* D. 1305. of Simon Frifell,* taken at the Battel of 
Kyrkenclyf A, Z). 1306. both \pf^ 'whom nuere punijhed 
as Traitors to our King Ed'ward thefrft, ^ their Heads 
fett (among others of their Countrey-men) upon London" 
bridge : and of the coronation of Robert le Brus £sf his 
Lurking afterward.^* Wanlby. 

This ballad contains a variety of incidents little noticed 
hy hiftorians* It is git/en from a MS. of Edward the ids 
time, in the Harleian Library, N" 22^^, 

LYdtnc^p Lordynges, a newe fong ichulle bigynne 
Of |)e t*ytours of fcotlond \i^ take bejj wyp gynnc, 
Mon ])at louej) falfne^e Sc nule neuer blynne. 
Sore 'may him drede );e lyf |)^ he is ynne> 

Jch vnderftonde : 5 

Selde wes he glad 
J?*^ neuer nes afad ' 

Of ny);e ac of onde. 

♦ Prtptrly Frafer, ancefior of tbt late Lird tovat. 

« 

B 3 J"= 



6 ANCIENT SONGS. 

J?'c yfugge by fia fcottes f"^ buej) nou to drawe^ 
pe heuedes o londone brugge whofe con yknawe; lo 
He wenden han buen kynges ant feiden Co in sawe, 
Betere hem were han ybe barouns ant hbbe in godes lawe 

Wyjj loue. 
Who(e hate)) foich ant ryht 
Lutel he doute^ godes myht 15 

J7e heye kyng aboue. 

To warny all pe gentilmen ^^ but)) in fcotlonde 
pe waleis wes to drawe^i fefpe he wes an honge» 
Al qc biheueded« ys boweles ybred^ 
pe heued to londone brugge wes fend^ to 

To abyde. 
After fimond fryfel, 
p'^ wes t*ytour ant fykell. 

Ant ycud ful wydfe. 

Sire edward ourc kyng, Ji"^ ful ys of pietc, tj 

be waleis ^r^ers fende to is oune contre. 
On four half to honge huere myrour to be, 
j?er opon to fenche J)*^ monie myhten fe. 

Ant drede. 
Why nolden he be war 30 

Of ])[e] bataile of donbar, 

Hou euele he con fpede ? * 

• 7'be Sc§rs bad been defeated there with great lofs. Anno 1296. 

Byffliopes 



ANCIENT SONGS. 7 

Byflhopes and barosns come to pe kyngcs pes^ 
Afe men ])at weren ftU, fykel a«e les« 
0])es hue him fworen m ftude |7er he wes, 35 

To buen him hold anr tf we fbr alles Cannes it8 

pryt. 
p"^ hne ne fhulden afeyn him go» 
So hue were remed po, 

Wehc hair hre to lye. 40 

To |)e kyng edward hii faften huere fay, 
Fals wes here foreward to forfl is in may^ 
pTCc fonne from pe fouthward wype|) away ; 
Moni proud fccye |>er of mene may 

To fere. 45 

Nes neuer fcotlond 
Wi]) dunt of monnes hond 

Alhnge aboht so dnere. 

pe biflhop of glascott ychot he was ylahr, 
be biHhop of semt Andre bc^^e he be)) ycahc, 50 

pe abboc of scon wi|) ^e kyng nis nout saht, 
Al here p^pos ycome hit ys to naht« 

J?urh ryhte : 
Hii were vnwis 

When hii ^ohte f s 55 

Afeyn huere kyng to fyhte. 



B 4 ]7ourh 



8 ANCIENT SONGS. 

J^ourh confail of pc$ biiThopes ynemned byfore 
Sire RoBc fe bruyrj furft kyng wes ycorc. 
He mai cueruchc day ys fon him fe byfore, 
^ef hee mowen him hente ichoc he bi]) forlore, 6# 

Saunt5 fayle. 
Soht foixe sugge, 
Duere he fhal abugge 

J?^ he bigon batayle. 

Hii t^ hina crouncde proude were ant bolde, 65 

Hii maden kyng of fome^ fo hit ner ne iholde, 
Hii fetten on ys heued a croune of rede golde. 
Ant token him a kynejerde fo me kyng fholde^ 

To deme, 
j7o he wes fet in fee 70 

XiUtel god cou]7e he 

Kynenche to ;eme. 

Nou kyng hobbe in fe mures fongejj,* 
Forte come to toune nout him ne longef ; 
J7e barouns of engelond myhte hue him g*pe , 75 
He him wolde techen on englyiTh to pype, 

bourh flreynpe : 

• K. Robert Brui, after the battle of Kirkenciife (or Metbwn, as it 
ft more generally called) fed into tbi Highlands, v?beit be lurked fof 
fome time. In a pretended converfation between bim and bis queen, re* 
ported by fome of our old bijlorians, fie is made to fay^ *' Tou are but a 
Summer king, I take it ; J do not imagine you will be a JVinter one.** 
(M% Weft* 456* J tbii calumny feems alluded to in v, 66, 



ANCIENT SONGS. 9 

Ne be he ner fo ftout 
^et he bif yfoht out 

O brede and o leyn])e. 80 

I Edward of carnarvan^ iHu him faue ant fee, 
; Emer de valence, gentil knyht ant free, 
bbej? yfuore huere oht f^ par la g*ce dee. 
e wollej) ous delyuren of J)^ falfe contrce, 

^efe hii conne.* 85 

Muche ha]) fcotlond forlore> 
Whet alaft whet bifore. 

Ant lutel ps wonne. 

a ichulle fonge f er ich er let, 
z tellen ou of frifel afe ich oa by het, 90 

|)e batayle of kyrkenclyf Fryfel was ycake> 
continaunce abatede eny boft to make, 

Bifide ft'^uelyn; 
Knyhtes ant fweynes, 

Fremen ant feynes, jj 

Monye wi|) hym. 

bii weren byfet on euerache halue, 
ime flaye were, ant fomme dreynte hem felue, 
! Joh^n of lyndefeye nolde noat abyde, 
wod m to |)e water his feren him byfyde, 1 00 

To ad-renche. 

^ Avtry judictoui provljo^ at apptani in the Jtquth 



lo ANCIENT SONGS. 

Whi nolden hii be war 
J7er nis non afeyn ftar f , 

Why nolden hj hem byj^enche ? 

pis wes byfore feint bartholomeas mafle 105 

1?^ Fryfel we? ytake, were hit more ofcr lafle ; 
To lire Thomas of multon gennl baroan ant fre^ 
And to fire Joh^n Jofe by take |)o wes he. 

To honde : 
He wes yfetered weel 1 10 

Bdpe wi)) yrn ant wyp fteel 

To bringen of fcotlonde. 

Sone ])er after fe tydynge to^e kyng com» 
He him fende to londone wi|> mony armed grom. 
He com yn at newegare, y telle yt on aplyht, 115 
A gerland of leues on ys hed ydyht * 

Of grene ; 
For he fhulde ben yknowe 
Bc^'e of hefe ant of lowe ' 

For t^ytour ywene. 120 



* Sc PTallaeef at hh m$ek trial At Vt^eftrnhflir, fvat " eretowed toHb 
iaurel,** at Stottft relates, '* for that be bad /aid in times pafi, that 
be §ugbt to bear a crown in that ball (as it taas commaalj tt^tad)^ 
V% ante v. 11. and poll v, 180. 



Yfetered 



, ANCIENT SONGS. ii 

Yfetered were ys legges vnder his hprfe wombe, 
Bo^e wi]> yrn ant wi)r ftel mankled were ya honde» 
A gerland of pemenke Ottonys heoed, 
Muche wes |)e poer ])^ him wes byreued 

Jn londe : I2{ 

So god me amende, 
Latel he wende 

So be broht in honde. 

Sire herbert of morh^m feyr knyhr ant bold. 
For j)e lone of fryfel ys lyf wes yfold, 130 

A waioar he made, ao hir wes ytold, 
Ys heaed of co fmhyre ^ef me him brohre in hold, 

Wat fo bytydc: 
Sory wes he [renne 

jfo he myhte him kenne 13 j 

J'ourh ])e toun ryde. 

J'enne feide y^ fcwyer a word anon ryht. 
Sire we be|) dede ne helpe]> hit no wyht, 
Thomas de boys \>c fcwyer wes to nome, 
Nou ychot our waioar zurnep ons to g^me, 140 

So ybate. 

V. 129. 1. Norl/mt Ht was one of the Scotijb prifinen i» the 
Tvtotr \ and is faid to bave heenfo confident of tht fafel^ or fueeefs of 
Sir Simon Fraferj that bo bad offered to lay bis own bead on tbe btovk 
iftbat vtarrior fuffered bimfelf to be taken: fnd { however ivoolunta" 
rily) it/eems be kept bis word* Vide M, W$fi% 460. 

Ydo 



X2 ANCIENT SONGS. 

Ydo ou to wyrc. 

Here heued wes of smyte 

Before |}e tour gate. 

|7is wes on oure leuedy eueA*^ for fothe ychunder(londe« 
pe iudices feten for Ipe knyhtes of section de, 146 

Sire Thomas of mulroii^ an hendy knyht ant wys. 
Ant fire Rauf of fondwych p'^ muchel is told in ps. 

Ant fire Joh*n Abel ; 
Mo ymihte telle by tale, 150 

Bdpe of grete ant of smale, 

5e knowen fuyj^e wel. 

}?enne faide fe iuftice J?"^ gentil is ant frc. 
Sire simond Fryfel, fe kynges t?ytour haft J>ou be, 
Jn water ant in londe ]7at monie myhten fe, 155 

What fayft );ou ]>areto, hoa wolt |)0u quite |)e ? 

Do fay. 
So foul he him wifte 
Nede waron trufte 

Forto fegge nay. 160 

J)er he wes ydemed fo hit wes londes lawe. 
For f^ he wes lordfwyk furft he wes to drawe, 
Vpon a rejjeres hude forjj he wes ytuht. 
Sum while m ys time he wes a modi knyht, 

Jn huerce. 1165 



• jtb Septtmbif 1 306. 



Wicked- 



ANCIENT SONGS, 13 

WickednefTe & funne 
Hit IS lutel wunne 

f^ makef f c body fmerte. 



al IS grete poer jet he wcs ylaht, 
neffe & fwykedom al hit g'ej) to naht, im 

lie wes m fcotlond lutel wes ys pohz 
e harde lugement \>^ him wes byfoht 

Jn lloundc. 
He wcs fourii])e forfwore / 

To jje kyng fer bifore,* ijre f 

Sc Jj*^ him brohte to grounde, 

feteres & wif gyues ichot he wes to drowe, 
n |>e tour of londone^ ]i^ monie myhte knowe^ 
curtel of burel afelke]7e wyfe, 
a gerland on ys heued of ]7e newe guyfe^ 180 

p urh cheepe ; 
Monimon of engelond 
Forto fe fymond 

J^ideward con lepe. 

ir Simon was one of tbofe whom K, Edtoard brought out of 
td in .12^6, tvben that kingdom loasfrjifubdued, H^ rtmatned a 
'if oner about eight months and was then fretd,on entering into the 
ngagement with the conqueror^ to tobicb^ however ^ it is certain 
not think proper to adhere j efieeming it, perhaps^ more finful to 
cb aforted obligation than to take it* jibercromhie, /• 552t ^ 

5 po 



i6 ANCIENT SONGS. 

Tprot fcot for pi ft*f, . 23a 

Hang vp fyn hachet ant J>i knyf, 
Whil him laile}) pe lyf 

Wi]) |)e longe fhonkes. 



•^>* y^^r followuing curious particulars of the capture 

and execution of this Sir Simon Frafer are tranfcrihei 

from the fragment of an old chronicle in the Britijb 

Mufeum, (MSS. Har. 266 J written about the time of 

Henry the Sixth, 

Howe Ro^t pe Brus was scomfited in bataille 
and ho we Symond Fnfell was flayn. 

THE fryday next bifore a/Tumpcioun of oure lady 
king Edeward mette Robert pfe Brus bifides seynt Jofis 
toune in Scotland, and with his companye of whiche 
companye king Edewarde quelde fevene powfand. 
When Robt pe Brus saW pis myfchif and gan to flee, 
and hovd hym pat men myjte noujt hym fynde. but f. 
Simond Frifell purfuede hym socore. so pat he turaede 
ajen and abode bataille for he was a worthy kny^ht & a 
bolde of body and pe englifihe men purfuede hym 
sore yn euy syde. & quelde pe stede fat f. Symond Fri- 
fell rood vppon and pei toke hym and lad hym to pe 
hoft. And f. Symond bigan for to flater and speke 
faire. and saide lordys J shalle ^eue |ou .mj pousand 
marke of syluer and myne hors and barneys & all my 
armure and vicome, Tho anfwerd Theobaude of 

Peuenes 



ANCIENT SONGS. 17 

Peuenes pat was the kinges archer. Now god me so 
helpe hit is for noujt p*^ pou spexte for alle the gold of 
Engelonde. J wold pe noght lete gone, withoute co- 
maudement of king Edeward. And po was he lad to 
pe icing. And pe king wolde not see hym bat c5- 
maunded to lede hym awey to his dome to london oa 
our ladyes Euen Natiuite. and he was honge Sc drawe 
and his heede smyten of. and honged a^ene with chynes 
of jren oppon the galwes. and his Hede was sette oppon 
london brug on a sper & ijens CTflefmalTe pe body w^s 
brent, for enchefoun pat pe men pat kepte pe body by 
nyfte fawe menye devellis rampande with jren crokes. 
rcnnynge vppon the gallews & horribliche fmented 
the body 8c meny pat ham sawe anoon aft' pei deied 
for dred or woxen mad or core sykeneiTe thei had. 

The hiftory of the great Scotijh champion Wallace is bet" 
ter known. 

The cruel and arbitrary treatment 'which thefe and other 
illuftrious patriots experienced from the ambitious, but, 
happily, di/appointed Ednxjard, ^when treachery or the for- 
tune of twar had put them in his poioer, nvill for ever 
depri*ve his character of that admiration to ijuhich his cou' 
rage and abilities *would other^wife ha've jvftly intitled it. 
The followiiing animated imprecation, nvith njuhich }Fallace*s 
military chaplain concludes his annals, is too remarkable not to 
defer've frequent notice, and, indeed, perpetual remembrance. 
'* Damnandus fit dies nativitatis Johannis de Monteith*, 
Sc excipiatur fuom nomen ex libro vitas ; maledidus fit 
in sternum inhumanus ifte tyrannus, cum nobilis iUe 

• Tbt " immanem proditorem^* of fVallactt 

C Scotorum 



i8 ancieKt songs. 

Scotorum du6lor pro Aiae virtutis praemio vitam aeternam 
habebity in fecula feculorum. Amen." Relationes 
Arnaldi Blair, apud •* The Jas and Diedt §/ Sir 
W. Wallace:' Edinburgh, 1758. 



III. 
A BALLAD AGAINST THE FRENCH, 

•— *' njuho/e officers extorting too much from the inhaii' 
tants of Bruges in Flanders, nvere murthered there ; and 
the French Kings potver, commandtd by the Count dm 
St. Pol, difcomfited. After 'which, K. Philip the Fair 
fending another mighty army, under the conduB of the 
Count d*jirtois, againft tbefe Flemings \ He *was kiUed, 
and the French were almoft all cutt to pieces* The later 
of tbefe Battels ivasjlricken on Wednefday the Jth of July, 
A.D. 1301." Wanlby. 

From the fame MS. 

LUilneI> lordinges bo]>e fonge anr olde. 
Of fe freynflh men j?at were so proude and boldc, 
Hon ]7e flemmyfTh men bohten hem ant folde, 

Vpon a wednefday. 

Becere hem were at home in huere londe 5 

J? en forte feche flemmyffli by J?e see ftronde, 
Whare rourh moni frenfh wyf wryngc}) hire hondcj 

Ant fingc|) weylaway. 

9 f« 



ANCIENT SONGS. 19 

l^e kyng of frau'nce mad &,2^\y\ newe» 

In \^ lond of Haundres amopg falfe ant trfswe^ ip 

l^t j7e c5mun of bruges ful fore con arewe^ 

And feiden amonges hem, 
Gedere we vs togedere hardilyche ar ene. 
Take we \^ bailifs bi tuenty ant by tene, 
Clappe we of ))e heuedes an onen o pe grene^ 15 

Ant C4ile we y \^ fen. 

l^e webbes ant \^ fullaris aflembleden hem alle. 
Ant makedeh huere confail in huere cGmune halle^ 
Token Peter Conyng huere kyng to calle. 

Ant beo huere cheuenteyn. 20 

Hae nomen huere rouncyns out of \t dalle. 
Ant clofeden \t toun wi]7 inne \^ walle, 
Sixa bayhes ant ten hue maden adpun falle^ 

Ant moni an o])er fweyn. 

\o wolde \t baylies f^at were come from fraance, 25 

Dryue })e flemiflhe Y' ^^^^ \^ deftaunce. 

Hue tumden hem afeynes wi]? fuerd & wi}) Iaunf;e» 

Stronge men ant lyht* 
Ytelle ou for fo))e> for al huere bobaunce, 
Ne for fe auowerie of fe kyng of fraunce, 30 

Taenti fcore ant fyue haden \tx mefchaunce^ 

By day ant eke by nyht.' 



C 2 Sire 



20 ANCIENT SONGS. 

Sire Jakes de feint Poul yherde * hou ' hit was, 
Sixtene hundred of horfmen afemblede ope gras. 
He wende coward bruges pas pur pas, 35 

WiJ) fwife grct mounde. 
be flemmyflh yherden telle pe cas, 
Agynne}) to clynken hucre bafyns of bras. 
Ant al hem to dryuen afe fton do)) ])e glas. 

Ant fellen hem to grounde. < 40 



Sixtene hundred of horfmen hede ^er here fyn. 

Hue Icyjen yf e ftretes yftyked afe fwyn, 

J7er hue loren huere fledes ant mony rouncyn, 

j7ourh huere oune prude. 
Sire Jakes afcapede by a coynte gyn, 45 

Out at one poderne ^cr me folde wyn. 
Out of );e ^hte bom to ys yn, 

Jn wel muchele drede. 



|?o pe kyng of fraunce yherde ^is anon 

AfTemblede he is douife pers eueruchon, 50 

pe proude eorl of artoys ant dpcr monyon. 

To oome to paris. 
fe barouns of fraunce ^ider conne gon, 
Jnto f e paleis f* paued is wif fton. 
To iugge ]7e ilemniinh to bernen ant to Hon, $5 

l^ourh pe ilour de lis. 

sA'' .. .. J^enne 




ANCIENT SONGS. ii 

e feide \>e kyngPhelip, luftne); nou to me, 
eorles ant my barouns gcntil ant fre, 
"acchcjj me fe t^ytours ybounde to my knc, 

HailiHiche ant biyue. 60 

lor \>e eorl of femt Poul, p. la goule de, 
lule facche \)e rybaus wher \>i wille be, 
irawen hC- [wif] wilde hors out of pe countre. 

By foufendes fyue, 

lauf Deuel, fay)? f e eorl of boloyne, 65 

e lerrum en vre chanoun ne moyne, 

le we forjj anon n]rc wij) oute eny aflbygne, 

Ne no lyues man ; 
hule flo ])e Conyng & make rofte is loyne, 
ord ihal fpngen of him m to coloyne, 70 

t (hal to acres & in to fefoyne. 

And maken him ful wan; 



ne eorles ant fourti barouns ytolde, 
ne hundred knyhtes proude & fwy))e bolde^ 
f oufent fwyers amonge junge ant oldc, 75 

Flemmiffhe to take, 
lemmiflhe hardeliche hem come to ^eynes, , 
•roude fremffti eorles huere knyhtes & huere fweynes, 
slleden ant flo wen by hulles & by pleynes, 

Al for huere kynges fake. 80 



C3 J?it 



r 



22 ANCIENT SONGS. 

J^is frenflie come to flaundres fo like Co pt hare, 
Er hit were mydnyht hit fel hem to care. 
Hue were lalit by J? e net fo bryd is in fnare, 

WiJ) rouncin & wijj ftede. 
fc flemmifKbe hem dabbe]) o pt het bare, 8j 

Hue nolden take for huem raunfoun ne ware. 
Hue dedde)) of huere heuedes fare fo hit fare. 

Ant ]7are to haue]; hue nede. 

fenne kyp fe eorl of Arcois y felde me to fe, 

Peter Conyng by pi nome, ?ef fou arr hende an^ frc, 90 

l^ y ne haue no fliame ne no vylte, 

J?^ y ne be noud ded. 
l?enne fwor a bocher, by my leaute, 
Shalt |)ou ner more pe kyng of fraunce se, 
Ne In J)e toun of bruges m pfone be, 95 

|7ou woldeft spene bred. 

J?cr hy were knulled y fe put fallc, 

J7is eorles ant barouns & huere knyhtes alle, 

Huere ledies huem mowe abide m boure 8ein halle, 

Wei longe : 100 

For hem mot hiiere kyng ojier knyhtes calle, 
0]7er fledes taken out of huere flalle, 
}?er hi habbe]) dronke birtrere |}en ])e galle, 

Vpon I^e drue londe. 



When 



ANCIENT SONGS. 43 

I J)C kyng of fraunce yherde fis tydyngc, 105 

noe doun is heued is honden gon he wiynge« 
liout al fraunce ^e word bygon to fj^ngt. 

Wo wes huem ^o. 
e wes ^e forewe anc ])e wepinge 
es in al fraunce among olde ant iynge« 1 1# 

eft part of ^e londe bygon foree fynge 

Alas ant weyla wo. 



f ])ou funge pope, whet shal pt to rede^ 

tiail lore |7in cardinals at ])i mefle nede^ 

suerell ]7ou he neuere for noneflcunnes mede« X15 

Forfofe y pe telle, 
forp to rome to amende ])i mifdede, 
^ode halewen hue lete \>c betere spede^ 
{)ou worche wyfloker |70u lofeft lond & lede« 

J^e coroune wel ))e felle. 120 

ion (eh, fraunce for pe may {^unche ihome» 
.ne fewe fullaris make]) ou fo tome, 
{)oufent on a day hoe maden fot lome^ 

WiJ? eorl & knyht. 
f habbe]) \>e flemyflh fuij^e god game« 125 

uere]) by feint omer Sc eke bi feint Jame 
y |?er more come]; hit fallej) huem to ihame 

Wip huem force iyht. 



C 4 IteUe 



24 ANCIENT SONGS. 

J telle ou for fofe fe bataiUe fus bigon 

Bituene fraunce ant flaundres, hou hue weren fon,, 130 

Vor vrenlhe fe eorl cf Haundres m pfon heden y don 

WiJ? t'^foun vntrewe. 
5e[f] Jje pnce of walls his lyf habbe mote. 
Hit fallef f e kyng of fraun.ce bittrore fen fe fotc. 
Bote he fe raf ere fer of welle do bote 135 

Wei fore hit ihal hym rewe. 



IV. 



SONG 

■— ** in fraifi of the author* s mtftrefs, njohofe natnt was 

Alyfoun^ 

From the fame MS, 

BYtuene mcrfh & aueril. 
When fpray bigmnej? to spnge, 
)?€ lutel foul haf hire wyl 

On hyre lud to fynge ; 
Jch libbc m louelonginge 5 

For femlokeft of alle fynge. 
He may me bLfie bringe, 
Jcham m hire bandoun. 

An 



ANCIENT SONGS. 25 

An hendy hap ichabbe yhenc, 
Jchot from heuene iz is me fenr, 10 

From all wymmen mi loue is lenr^ 
& lyhz on Alyfoun. 

On hen hire her is fayr ynoh. 

Hire browe broune, hire e$e blake ; 

Wi]> lofTum chere he on me loh ; ^5 

Wi]7 middel smal Sc wel ymak : 

Boce he me wolle to hire Take, 

Force buen hire owen make, 

Longe to lyuen ichulle forfake^ 

And feye fallen adoun. 20 

An hendy hap, &c. 

Nihtes when y wende & wake. 

For jji myn wonges waxep won, 

Leuedi al for pine sake 

Longmge is ylent me on. 

Jn world nis non so wycer mon 25 

J?^ al hire bounte telle con. 

Hire fwyre is whittore fen fe fwon, 
ic feyreft may m toune. 
An hend~. Sec. 

Jcham for wowing al for wake, 

Wery fo water in wore ; 30 

Left eny reue me my make, 
Ycl^albe yjyrned jorc, 
7 Betere 



fl6 ANCIENT SONGS. 

Betere is polien whyle fore 
J7en mournen euermore^ 
Geynefl vndergore^ 35 

Herkne to my roun. 

An hendi, &c. 



V. 

A LOVE SONG, 

•*' <who/f author defer ibes his beautiful ^ hut unreUntini 

mifrefs.'' 

From the fame MS, 

BLOW northerne wynd. 
Sent fou me my fuetyng. 
Blow northerne wynd, blou, bloo, blou* 

Jchot a burde in boure bryht, 

J? at fully femly is on syht, 5 

Mcnlkful maiden of myht, 

Fcir ant fre to fonde* 
Jn al pis wurhbche won, 
A burde of blod Sc of bon 
Neuer jere ynufte non 10 

LufTomore m londe. BIow^ &c. 

WiJ» 



ANCIENT SONGS/ a; 

Wijj lokkes leftiche & longe,. 
Wib froQDt & face feir to fonde, 
Wi)7 niur])es monie mote heo monge, 

]7at bnd fo breme m boure. 15 

Wijj lofTom eye, grete ant gode, 
Wif browen blyffol vnderhode^ 
He f^ refte hi on pe rode 

p'^ leHych lyf honoure. Blou, 8cc» 



Hire lure lumes hht, 20 

Afe a launterne a nyht^ 
Hire blco blykyej) so bryht. 

So feyr heo is ant fyn. 
A foetly fuyre heo haf to holde, 
Wi]7 armes ihuldre afe mon wolde^ 25 

Ant fyngres feyre forte folde, 

God wolde hue Were myn ! 

Middel heo ha]) xnenikfal smal. 

Hire louehche chere as c flal ; 

j^e^es, legges, fet ant al, 30 

Ywraht wes of fc beftc. 
A laiTum ledy lafleles, 
J?^ fwcting IS & cuer wes, 
A bcter^ burde neucr nes 

Yheryed wij) fc hefte. 35 

Heo 



a8 ANCIENT SONGS. 

Hco IS dercworfe in day, 
Ccioufc ftour anr gay, 
Gen'cil lolyf so Jje jay, 

Worhliche when heo wake];* 
Maiden murgefl of mou]?, 40 

Bi eft, bi weft, by norj? & fouf, 
b^ nis ficle ne crouf 

Jp^ fuch mur]7es make]?. 

Heo IS coral of godnefle, 

Heo IS ruble of ryhrfulneflc, 45 

Hco IS cftal of clairnefle. 

Ant baner of bcalre. 
Heo IS lilie of largefte, 
Hco is paruenke of prouefle, 
Hco is folfecle of suetncfle, 50 

And led) of lealrc. 



To lone f^ leflich is in londe, 
Ytolde hi as ych vnderftonde, 
Hou ])is hende ha); hent in honde. 

On huerce jj"^ myn wes. 55 

Ant hire knvhtes me han fo foht, 
Sykyng, forewyng & foht, 
j?o fre me han in bale broht, ' 

Ajeyn fe poer of pecs. 



To 



ANCIENT SONGS. 29 

To loue ypirtte pleyntes mo, 6o 

Hou fykyng me ha]; iiwed so. 
Ant eke foht me ]?rar to slo, 

WiJ? maiftry jef he myhtc. 
Ant fere we fore m balful bende, 
p'^ he wolde for fis hende 65 

Me lede to my lyues ende, 

Vnlahfulliche m lyhte. 



Hire loue me luftnede vch word. 

Ant beh him to me ouer bord. 

Ant bed me hente \>a.z hord, jo 

Of myne huerte hele. 
Ant bifechej? \i^ swete and fvvote, 
£r ^en |)0u falle afe fen of fote, 
p"^ heo wif fe wolle of bote 

Derewor))Iiche dele. 75 

For hire loue y carke ant care. 
For hire loue y droupne ant dare. 
For hire loue my bliffe is bare. 

Ant al ich waxe won. 
For hire loue m slep yflake, 80 

For hire loue al nyht ich wake. 
For hire loue mournyng y make. 

More ])en cny mon. 



YL 



30 ANCIENT SONGS. 



VI. 
A SONG ON HIS MISTRESS, 

>'' *wbom he admires as the fair eft nuud bituent 
Ljncolne iff Lynde/eye, Norhampton and Lounde (i, e* 
London):' 

From the fame MS. 

> . 

WHEN fe nyhtegale fingcs fe wodes waxen grenc, 
Lef & gf s & blofme fpnges in aueryl ywene. 
Ant loue is to myn herce gon wij) one s|ie so kene^ 
Nyht $c day my blod hit drynkes^ myn hefte dtp me tene. 

Jch haue loued al fis jer f^ y may loue na more, 5 

Jch haue fiked mom syk lemon for \>iti ore. 
Me nif loue ncuer f e ner, & J)^ me rewef fore, 
Suete lemon, ))ench on me, ich haue loued pe fOre* 

Suete lemon, ypreye fe of loue one speche, 
Whil y lyue in world fo wyde ofer nulle y fechc j 10 
Wif fy loue, my fuete leof, mi bhs jjou mihtcs eche^ 
A fuete cos of ]py mou]) mihte be my leche. 

Saete 



ANCIENT SONGS. 31 

te lemmon, yp^^c l'^ o^ ^ loue bene, 
' povL me loueft afe men fzys, lemmon as y wene ; 
z jef hit fi wille be fou lokc |?^ hit be fene, i j 

muchel y penke vpon |)e \i^ al y waxe grene. 

tuene lyncolne & lyndefeye, norl^mptoun ant lounde^ 
c wot y non fo fayr a may as y go fore ybounde : 
uete lemon, ypre5e \>e )}ou lonie me a (lounde. 
Twole mone my fong on wham j)^ hit ys on ylong. 20 



VII. 



A SONG SETTING FORTH THE GOOD 
EFFECTS OF THE SPRING. 



L 



From the /ami MS, 

ENTEN ys come wif loue to tounc, 
Wi]) blofmen Sc wi]? briddes roune, 

J?^ al fis blifle bryngej) j 
Dayes ef es m ))is dales. 
Notes fuete of nyhtegales, 
Vch foul fong iingep. 



^ 



3» ANCIENT SONGS. 

I 

J?e frcftclcoc him f rercf oo, 
A way is huerc wyntcr wo. 

When woderoue spngef ; 

J? IS foules fmge]? ferly fele, lO 

Ant wlytef on huere wyntcr welc, 
pB.z al pQ wode rynge]). 

J7e rofe ra]^le]).hire rode, 
■pe leues on pe lyhte wode. 

Waxen al wi}) wille ; 15 

]7e mone mande)) hire bleo, 
J7e lihe is lofTom to feo, 

pt fenyl & the fille. 

Wowes )}is Wilde drakes. 

Miles murge]} huere makes, 20 

Afe llrem \i^ ft'^ke}) stUle ; 
Mody mene]7 so doh mo, 
Jchot ycham on of f o. 

For loue f^ likes ille. 

J7e mone mande]) hire lyht, 25 

So dof fe femly fonne bryht. 

When briddes fingef breme ; 
Deawes donke]; pe dounes, 
Deores wi|) huere derne rounes« 

Domes forte deme. 30 

Wormei 



"/ 




ANCIENT SONGS. jj 

Wormes wow^ vnder cloude, 
Wymmen waxe]) wounder proade. 

So wel hic wol hem feme. 
5cf me (hal wonte wille of on^ 
pis wanne weole y wole forgon, 3^ 

Ant wyht m wode be fleme. 



VIII. 

'•A DITTY UPON THE UNCERTAINTY OP THIS 
LIFE AND THE APPROACH OF DEATH." 

From thi /ami MS. 

WYnter wakene^ al my care. 
Non ^18 leues waxe]y bare, 
Ofte y (ike & mourne fafe. 
When hit come]) in my (^oht 
Of fns worldes ioie hou hit ge|) al to noht* 5 

Noa hit is, & nou hit nys, 
Alfo hit ner nere ywys, 
|)^ moni mon fei]) fo)y hit ys^ 
Al g<^ bote godes wille, 
AUe w^ Aale deye {^ah vs like ylle. 10 



All 



{ 



34 ANCIENT SONGS* 

All ])at grea me gf o^ grene, 
Nott krt falewe]> al by dene, 
Jliu help ]^^ hit be feDe^ 
Anr shil^ ¥s from kelle ; 
For ynot whider y (kil, ne luw kmge ki dielle. 15 



IX. 

A SONG UPON THE MAN IN THE MOON. 

Hft an btri frefenod^ fy tie /ami MS. wtb thi idta 

9ur anceftors entertained of an imaginary beings the fub^ 
jeQ of perhaps one of the moft ancignt as nveli as one of 
ihe moft popular fuperftitions in the nnorld. He is repre^ 
fented leaning upon a fork, oh ivhich he carries a bufi of 
thorn 9 becaufe it was for *' pycchynde ftake " §m a Sum» 
diVf that he is reported to have been thus confined*. There 
tannot be a doubt that the following is the original ftory, 
however the Moon became cwne&ed with it. 



* In the Midfummer Nigbii DrtMwt^ Piter flslnet^ the esrpenter, 
in arranging bh dramatis perfone/or the play before the Dttke, dlreSt 
tbat^^** One muft come in witb a bujb of tborm and a lantern^ and faff 
beeomei to ditfgure, or to preJeHt, the perfomofmoom'Jbine.^ frhich 
noe aftemardi find done. ** jitl that I have to Uy^* concludei the 
performer of this firange part^ ** is, to tell you^ that the Untetu is the 
moon ; /, the man ik the moom i this tborn-brnj^ my thorn-buf^ $ and 
tbit dogf my dog,** jindfuch a charaBer appear t to batfe beenfami^ 
liar to the old Eaglijb J^age. Fide alfo Ttmpeft, AB Ih Scene //• 



AKCIfiNT SONGS. 35 

I 

" ^ ^W <»;i&//f /£/ children of Ifrael ^eri in tbi W- 
titrnifs^ they found a man that gathered ftkks ufm th$ 
fahhath'day. 

** And thef that found him gathering fich, brought 
him unto Mofes and Aaron, and unto all the congrega^ 
tion, 

** And they put him :n tvard, becaufe it was not de» 
cJared 'what Jhould he done to him, 

** And the LoKDfpake unto Mofes, The man Jhall ii 
furely pat to death : all the congregation Jhall ftone hine 
njoith fonts ^without the camp, 

•* And all the congregation brought him without th$ 
eampf and ftoned him 'with ftones, and he died \ as tbi 
Lord commanded Mofes J** I^ umbers, xr. 32, IS fef. 

But njffith due reverence to omnipotent authority, fuch 
m decifion from any other quarter muft have been deemed 
rigid juftice ; confidering that thefa& had never happened 
before, nvas prohibited by no exprefs lav;, and, for attf* 
thing that appears, an aS of the utmofl necejfftty. Who* 
#v#r, therefor, altered the fentence to a perpetual pillory* 
like imprifonment in the moon, feems to have proceeded upoie 
the morejuft and rational principles ^'-'On the fuppofitioup 
iiai is, of its being criminal for a poor vjretch to pick 
a fevs thorns in church'time to keep bis famlj /rule 
Jtarving. 



MON in \t mone ftond & ft'Ne, 
On IS bcyc forke is bur)yen he bere^^ 
Hit 18 muche wonder ]>^ he na doon flyt. 
For dottte lefle he valle he (hoddreji atfo sher^. 

D % Whf a 



36 ANCIENT SONGS. 

When |7e forfl frefep muche chele he hyd, e 

pt Jyornes be)y kene is hatcren to cere]) ; 

Nis no wyf t m f e world fat wot wen he syz, 
Nc, bote hit hue fe hegge, what wede3 he were]^. 



Whider trowe )>is mon ha J>e wey take. 

He ha]) fet is ofot is o])er to foren, lO 

For non hi|7te ))at he ha)) ne sypc me hym ner shake. 

He IS ))e flowefle mon })at euer wes yboren« 
Wher he were 6pe feld pycchynde ilake. 

For hope of ys {jornes to dutten is doren. 
He mot myd is twybyl clper trous make, 15 

0|)er al is dayes werk |)er were yloren. 

})is like mon vpon heh whener he were, 

Wher he were y ))e mone boren ant yfed. 
He lene)) on is forke ase a grey frere, 

J^is crokede caynard fore he is adred. 20 

Hit is mony day go fat he was here, 

Jchot of is ernde he naf nout yfptd. 
He ha]) hewe fumwher a burfen of brere, 

J^arefore fum hay ward haj) taken ys wed. 

^ Jef J)y wed ys ytake bring hom fe trous, 25 

Sete fol-J) fyn ofer fot, ftryd ouer fly. 
We ihule preye f e haywait hom to vr hous. 
Ant maken hym at heyse for fe mayjftry ; 

Drynke 



ANCIENT SONGS. 



37 



to hym deorly of fol god bou8> 

sure dame doufe (hal fltten bym by, 30 

at he is dronke afe a dreynt mous, 

e we fchule bore we pe wed ate bayly. 



1 herep me noat« |7ah ich to hym crye« 
))e cherl is def, pe del hym to drawe> 
fe^e vpon he]} nulle nout hye> 35^ 

•ftlafe ladde con nout o law'e* 

»rj) hubert, hofede pye, 

: ]7art a marftled in to pe mawe ; 
teone wij? hym fat myn teh mye, 

lerld nul nout adoun er fe day dawe. 40 



U tvas from the MS. nv hence thefiregoing pieces 
'oSed that Bp. Percy printed the ballad of Ri- 

OF Almaignb (Reliquesy II, i,J, of nvhich he 
divert ently omitted the concluding ftanxa. In this 
tency, as 'well as in his other variations from the 
, he has been religiously follonued by his learned 
'he reverend Mr, Thomas Warton 5 luhoy never* 
declares that he had tranfcribed the ^ballad be- 

knevj that it 10 as printed in the *' second " 

f Percy ! Hew unluchf that it Jhould be in 

.ST too! — The Jianxa^ honjoever, is curious^ and 

be regretted that the right reverend editor Jhould, 
an unaccountable overji^ht, home left his copy im^ 

Dj Be 






-.'»« 



A< . . 



38 ANCIENT SONGS, 

Be ))e laef, be ft lohr, fire edw^rd % 
I'ou shale ride fporeles o fy lyard, 
Al ])e ryhte way ro douere ward. 
Shale |k)u neaer more breke foreward. 

And fax rewe]) fore. 
Edward^ pou dudeft afe a (hreward^ 

Forfoke fya ernes lore. 
Kichard, &c. 

* TbtPrittctf aftirwMrds K» Edward L 



A SONG, 

«-'^ maifi A> Z). 1308* /« praifi of tht^'ualianf Knight 
Sir Piers dt Birmingham, *who (while he li'ued *wa4 a 
/courge to the Irijb, and died A D 1 288 " 

Thi name of de 'Birmingham is famous in the Irijb an* 
iuUs about this period ^ hut the gallant anions, and even 
thi very exiftence of this valiant knight, feem to have n§ 
§thir record than the following ballad, (which is given from 
« MS. in the Harleian library (N' 913^ ofthi/m$agi. 

SIth gabnel gan grete 
Vre ladi man fwere 
P^ godde wolde I hir hfte, 
A poufand fer hir ifle, 

Jpte hundred fal 1 wifie« 5 

A' ofi ferif ^If^* 

fas 



ANCIENT SONGS. jf 

Pan of pe cifc fcr' 
Tak twicf ten ifcr* 

P^ wol be .zx^ fuUe.; 
Apan pe .xx. dai !• 

Of adil bi for mai. 

So dqi V8 gan to poUe. 



He pullid usof on> 
Al irlond makip non 

Engelonck af well^ | 
Ful wel ye wrcte hifi oanit 
Sir pers pe b^mgh^oij 

No nede hit if to tell«. 



Hif nam hit was a' isse 
Y figge {ou ful 1 wifle 

P^ vppe ffal anfes 
I felle fleife a' bone 
A bett^ kn.jt naf none» 

No none of mor' jifc. 



Noble werrur' he waf» z^ 

A gode caftel i place. 

On Aede f he wold ndt« 
Wiphiffpera'fcheld 
1 hard wodde a' felde. 

No pef hi durft abide. 30 

D 4 Do 



40 AN<3IENT SONGS. 

Do penchip al I hi, ' 
Wip weepin who wol win, 

Hou gode hie waf to nede. 
1 batail fhf co flond, 
I wif IS per' nas nond> )5 

Alaf he fold be dede ! 



Al englif men p^ hep 
Sore mow wepifdep, 

pc fuch a knifc fTold falle ; 
Pos kni|tif euch one 40 

Of hi mai male mone, 

Af {laittk of ha alle. 



^uink he mi;t be, 
A* p* for pingef pre. 

He vfHd ofr a' lome, 45 

P* waf one of pe bcft. 
He ne leec no pef hav refl;> 

I no ftxd ]^ hie come. 

An of fing al fo« 

To ynfmen he waf fo, 50 

P* wel wide whar* ( 
Eu he rode abonce 
Wip ftreinp to hut ha vte, 

Af hut^ dop pe har% 

For 



I 



ANCIENT SONGS. 41 

I 

For whan hi wend befl 5; 

1 wildernif hav reft, 

P^ no ma flbld ha fee. 
Pan he wold driue aqueft 
And to har neft, 

J' ihd ^ hi wold be. 60 



Of flep he wold ha wak. 
For ferdnif he wold t^k, 

A* fod to fculk awai ; 
For pe hire of har bedde 
He tok har heuid to wedde, 65 

A' fo he tajt ha plai. 

Pof ynf men of pe lond 
Hi 8wor a' tok an hond 

Pe englif me to t*i ; 
A' feid hi wold quelle 70 

Af fale as 1^ fou telle 

Al apon o dai. 

Pe erl of vUefter, 
Sir' emond pe botiler. 

Sir' Jon le fiz tomaf, jg 

Algate al bi name 
Sir* pcrf pe b'mgtfme, 

pif was har copaf. 



4a ANCIENT SONGS. 

Pif copafmet c5 vte 

F*m knife to kt^jpc abute» ^o 

Hit nafno^t lag ihiddt $ 
fof kni^tif pFid al, 
P^ mefchas moft ha fal, , 

5if fcape hi Sold j midde. 

A' fwor bi godif name 8; 

To )ild pe cutre pane^ 

Whan hi mijt co to | 
A* p* wip vrc Ictte 
To certein dai iferte, 

Pif ping ffold be do. fQ 



Lang er pif dai w^t co 
Hit was for)it wip fom, 

P^ neifTe bep to nede | 
Alaf what iTold hi ibor 
Pro| ha pis lond if ilor 9J 

To fpille ale a' bred* 

Sir* pers pe b^mgh'm 
On emift a' again 

Pu dai waf is po)t ; 
He poft ordref to niak« loe 

What time he mijt ha tak, 

Qf tf nail naf hi npftt 

O konwir 



ANCIENT SONGS. 



43 



O konwir p^ was king 
His kepenn he gan b'ngi 

Pe maift^ heet gjllbdie | 105 

Rife at pe t^nite, 
Whan hodes fold beft be^ 

To pers I rotomoye* 

A* jite of o^ floore 

Co epedmal more, IIO 

A' 0/ fale bi name; 
Sir* perf lokid vte 
He feci fuch a rate 

Hi poft hit naf no game* 

Sir perf jfef ha com> II5 

He receiuid al a' fom» 

Noft on iwernd nas ; 
S^ boodif he let mak, 
Noht on naf for fak, 

Bot al he did ha |^ce« ixo 

I 

Saue o wrech p* p waO 
JHe cupe nop: red 1 place, 

* Ne ' fing * whar ' he Co ; 
He was of caym is kinne, 
A' he refniid hi, 1 25 

He wend vnhodid ho. 



K 123. No fing what he co, MS* 



th 



44 ANCIENT SONGS. 

He p^ pif fang lee mak. 
For fir perfif sake, 

Wei wid hap igo ; 
Wid whar ifojt, 130 

A* godpLdon ibop:. 

Two hudnd daief a' mo. 



xr. 



AZEYN MI WILL I TAKE MI LEUE. 

From an tmtmnfe folio in the Bodleian library^ knovm 
hy the title of MS. Vernon y confifiing of between four emd 
fi<ve hundred large parchment leaves, and containing a *ua' 
riety of religious and other poems, in a charaMer nvhich 
the editor conjeSlured, on looking over it, to he of the four' 
teenth century (i. e, of the reign of Edward 111, or Ri* 
chard II,). Thefong is at folio 404. 



NOW B*nes, Buird', boldc and biypc. 
To bleflcn ow her nou am I boude, 
I poke ;ou alle a pousend (ipe. 
And pre! god sauc ^ou hoi and soude ; 

10 Wher 



ANCIENT SONGS. 45 

Wher ei f e go, on gras or grounde, 5 

He ow gouerne, w^outen greue. 
For fredschipe p' I here haue foude^ 
Afeyn mi wille I take mi leue. 



For fredschipe & for fifces goode» 

For mete 8c drmke fo gret plente, 10 

Pat lord p' rau)t was on pe roode 

He kepe pi comeli cumpayne ; 

On fee or lond, wher pat {e be. 

He gouerne ow wip outen greue ; 

So good disport ^e han mad me, 15 

A^ein mi wille J take my leue« 

Afein mi wille alpauf J wende, 

J may not alwey dwellen here. 

For eui ping fchal haue an ende. 

And frendes are not ay J fere. z9^ 

Be we neuer fo lef and dere. 

Oat of pis world al fchul we meue. 

And whon we buske vnto vr here 

Afeyn vr wille we take vr leue* / 

And wende we fchnlle* J wot ne& whSno^ %S 
Ne whoderward, pat we fchul fare. 
But endelef blifTe, or ay to brenc^ 
To eueri mon U f arked fare 1 

for 



46 ANCIENT SONGS. 

For pi J rede, vch mon be ware, 1 

And lete ?r werk vr wordes pretie, S^ I 

So pat no sane vr soole forfare, 
Wlion pat vr lyf hap taken his lent. 

Whon pat vr lyf his leue hap laoht, 

Vr bodi lith boanden bi pe wowe» 

Vr richeffes alle from vs ben raft, 35 

Jn clottes colde vr cors is prowe. . 

Wher are pi fredes ? ho wol pe knowe ? 

Let seo ho wol pi fonle releue ; 

J rede pe mon, ar pou ly lowe, 

Beo redi ay to take pi leae. 40 

Be redi ay, what eu bi falle, 

Al sodeynli lest f be kiht ; 

P" wost ned whone pi lord wol calle, 

Loke p< pi laupe beo brenynge briht : 

For leue me wel> but f haae liht, 4$ 

Riht foule pi lord wol pe repreae^ 

And fleme pe fer out of his fiht« 

For al to late f toke pi leue. 

Now god pat was in Bethleem bore. 

He liue vs grace to serae hi so, 50 

f^ we mai come his face to fore. 

Out of pis world whon we schul go : 

± And 



\ 



ANCIENT SONGS. 

And for to amende f we mis do. 
In clet or p* we cl/nge and clene t 
And mak vs enene w' frend and fb. 
And !n good tyme to take vr lene. 



Hon hasep good dai, gode men atle, 
Hanep good dal, pinge and olde, 
Hsnep good dajr, Ix^ grew and imaUe> 
And graut m'ci a poufend folde. 
^if encT J mi]te, ful fayn J wolde, 
Don OB)t p* weore vnto }ou leue. 
Crlit kepe ow oot of cuea colde. 
For nou u tyme to take my leue, 




<**w**^ 




a JS C 3[3EiI3C ®©JQ®S. 



CLASS 



Comprehending the Reigns of Henry IV. 
Henry V. and Henry VI. 



ROBIN LYTH. 

7bis finiularly turhus rilic it gi'ucH fnei a fiuJt 
fum-ie MS. in ibe Sham liBrary is the Mufeum (tP 
2593.^, confifting cf a pretty eonJiJirahle numbtr ^ 
ftiiieal fieeis, " fomi pieut, /ami lit tamtraij," i* m 
toad luiicb apptars to he marly, i/ net fuiie, euiUtu 
tit rime tf Henry V. But fram the itneommtn rudemifi if 
the fBlloviing ixtra£l, lubieb ii istally dijimilar im pUMi 
»f language and manner to a>g tiing the editsr bat hither- 



ANCIENT SONGS. 49 

fi tvitlh, one fnayfafely ^enturt to pronounce it at leaft 
ff nsi iiati *u)itb the commencement of the preceding 
i. Who or 'what this Robin Lyth *ufas, does not, 
rtwiji than hy this little performance^ compo/edf it 
Id JUm, to eternize the mahper of bis death , and 
hi rrvenge taken for it^ any 'where appear. Thai 
Ami a native or inhabitant of Torkjbire i/, htdeed, 
yfy- probable^ for fwo reafons : the Jirft is, that a 

mr t*wo north of Whitby is a village called Lyth> 
P0r he -may be rea/onably fuppofed t9 have acqnired 
fiumami : the fecond, that near Flamborongig in 
Imrmft, is a large casern in the r^cks, fubjeS, at 
'mia to the influx ofthefeat nvhich, among the country 
t§i 'rttains to this day the name of Robin Lyth 
•B ; from the circumfiance, no doubt, of its halving beem 
f his fkulktng places. Robin Hood , a hero of the famt 
Ration, bad feveral fuch in thofe and other parts t 
, indeed, it is not very improbable that our hero had 

formerly in the fuite of that gallant robber, and, on 
nafiers death, had Jet up for himfelf See a further 
unt of the above cave in Pennants Tour in Scotland, 

he firft and laft line was, pojpbly, the burthen of tb$ 
, and repeated after every other ^ 



Obyii lyth In grene wode bowndy. 
w J herde a carpyng of a clerk al at fone wodP ende, 
^ode robyn & gandeleyn was ^ n5 oj^ 'pynge*; 
mge theuys wem p* chylderl no, but bowme gode 

& hende ; 
(venty to wode to gety he fleych^ if god wold it h8 

fende* e^ 

y* 3* Syoge. MS. 

V 

S Al 



\ 



50 ANCIENT, SONGS. 

Al day wety po chylderi too, & fleych fowndy he &a» 
Til it wer' a gcyn cay pc chylderi wold go hom; 
Half a honderid of fat falyf der he corny a ^on, 
U alle he wern fayr & fat j now, but markyd was p* 

no. 
Be der* god, feyde gode [robyn], her* of we xul haoe 

on. 10 

Roby * bent * his joly bowe p^n he fct a flo, 
P« fattefl der of alle p* herte he clef a to. 
He hadde not pe der i flawe ne half out of p® hyde^ 
f cam a fchrewde arwe out of p* weft p' felde robertjp 

pryde. 
Gandeleyn lokyd hy eft Sc weft be euy fyde, ij 

Hoo hat my mayft^ flayin ? ho hat do pis dede f 
Xal J ned out of grene wodc go ti[l] j fe fydis blede. 
Gandeleyn lokyd hy eft & lokyd weft, Sc fowc vtni f* 

func. 
He faw a lytil boy he clepy Wrennok of doune; 
A good bowe in his bond, a brod arwe p^ine, 20 

& fowr* & XX goode arwys trufyd m a prumme. 
Be war pe, war pe, gandeleyn, herof pu xalt ha* fume; 
Be war p*, war pe, gadeleyn, her of p" gyfk plente. 
Eae oh for a op^, feyde gandeleyn, mys aut^ kaue be 

xal fle. 

Qwer at xal o^ marke be ? feyde gzndtleyn. 3{ 

Eiiyche at op^is herte, feyde Wrennok ageyn. 
Ho xal feue pe ferfte fchote ? feyde gadeleyn. 
It j«xal fewe pe on be forn, feyde Wrennok ageya. 

r. It. wear. MS* 

WffBflok 



ANCIENT SONGS. Si 

Wrennok fchette a ful good fchote, ^ he fchet not 

to hye, 
prow p* fachopis of his bryk, it towchyd neyp* thye. 30 
Now haft pa iouy me on be forn, al pus to Wrennok 

feyde he, 
&, prow * p* * myjt of cF lady, a better j xal ^ eue pc. 
Gandeleyn bent his goode bowe 8c fet p^in a flo. 
He fchet prow his grene certyl, his h^te he clef on too* 
Now xalt f neu felpe Wrennok, at ale ne at wyn, 35 
P^ f hafl flawe goode roby & his knaue gandeleyn ; 
Now xalt pu neu felpe Wrennok, at wyn ne at ale, 
P' f haft flawe goode roby, & gldeleyy his knawe* ^ 
Roby lyfth m grene wode, bow[n]dy, 

y, 32. p*. MS» 



11. 



lEQJJIEM TO THE CONSPIRATORS AGAINST 

HENRY IV. 

Ti^ ^ecaJUn •/ this farcaflie performanci, afpeciet of' 
nvit too frequently employed again/i Jucb as have proved 
un/uccefsful in great attempts^ by thofe who in different 
drcumftances would have been the loudeft and mofi ferviU 
\n tbiirfraift^ njuMS^rtly iisfolhwe^ 

£a In 



S» ANCIENT SONGS. 

In the J tar I399> almoft immediately after the oceeffiMi 
of Henry IV, John Holland earl of Huntingdon^ and 
Thomas Holland^ bis nephenv, earl of Kent (*ujbo had 
been lately degraded from the dukedoms of Exeter and Snr^ 
ry) 'with John Montagu, earl of Salifbury, in order t$ 
effeS the reftoration of their depofed fo*vereign, and con- 
Jequently of the titles and pojej/ions of ivhicb the two 
former had been deprived by his fuccejfor *, entered ini$ 
a confpiraiy to kill the King and Princes in Windfer* 
taftle, into <which they propofed to gain accefs under coUnr 
of a mummery or Chriftmas game in the approaching bo* 
Jidays, Kent and Salifbury^ accordingly ^ came to Wind* 
for on the Sunday after the Circumcifion^ in thi dupe of 
the e*veningi loith about four hundred armed tnen ; but the 
King 9 halving recei*ued notice of his danger from the Lord 
Mayor f , had pri'vately njuithdratjon himjelf to London* 
7he two Lords, dif appointed of their prey^ rode injfantlj 
to Sunnings, the refidence of Richards young queen, ivberi 
Kent, in a boating manner^ related the circumfiama of 
the kings fight, and declared his refolution to refioro King 
Richard, ivho, as he pretended, had efcaped out offrifon, 
and was then at PontefraSi with ioo«ooo mm. From 



* 0« ott9unt of tbtir bavtng hteu concerned in the aceufation of tbt 
lato duh of Cioucefter, Vidt tb$ proceft. Rot. Pari* 499. SaSfiury 
%uas incluatd in the charge, but does not appear to hove beemfurtbte 
proceeded aga'tnjl, 

■f* Fabian and Stowe impute ibit iifcovery to tbe treachery of the eorttf 
R utland(late duke ofAumarle)^ whom Mr, Hume in particular t^eproexba 
Vfitb great energy. But that tbeftory is void of all foundation Jwmt pMu 
from a petition prefented to tbe King by tbe Houfe of Commotes im favour 
of this mhUman and tbe earl of Somerfet (both of whom bad keen ap* 
pellants of tbe duko of Gloucefier ) on account of their loyalty, in which 
fo fgnal an infiance of Rutlandt nvoutd fcarcely have been emitted* 
See Rot. Pari. III. 460. The charge fetms to have originated with 
the author of a MS* uarrative im French rime, now in the Harleiau 
libraff (N^ 1319.^, •/ which Stow* has evidently had a copy f and 
whicb hasfo much the air of a romance, at to make it probable that the 
nvriter bat only ptrfomated the author of the preceding Hifiory of Ki^ 
Rkhard, which isp iod^p a curioiu and autheutie piece. 

Smtmngi 



, ANCIENT SONG Sw sj 

V 

iimnings they ivemt to Wallin^ord^ andthina to Abingdon, 
tvirj 'vifher^ calling on all <who lo^ed King Richard to take 
ttrmt and join them. At length they arrived ^ late in the 
tvemmjgt at Cirencefter ii^ Gloucefterjhiref "where they took up 
their Udging ; hut 4 he towunspeopUt not giving implicit credit 
to tk^ftbry they brought of K, Richard and his immenfe ar» 
my, attacked their inn about midnight, and the two lords, 
finding every avenue blocked up^ kept Jkirmijhing vjith the 
kffiulants till nine in the mornings iphen, being quite fa-- 
figued, they furrendered at d'/cretion, begging only that 
they fnigbtnot be put to death till th(iy could have a con- 
firence nuith the king. Their petition nvould probably have 
been complied luith, had not a certain prieft of their party 
fet fireto fome houfes, in order to dravu ojf the attention 
of the people to the pre/ervation of their property ^ and 
therthy afford an opportunity for the lords to eftape. ' Un^ 
fwrtunately, hov^ever, this manoeuvre ferved only to ^irri^ 
tati them againft their prifonertf vuhom they confidered at 
fhi authort of the conflagration : fo that, leaving their 
houfet to purfue their revenge ^ they drevj the tvjo noble-^ , 
men out of the abbey y. iv here they had been confined Jince 
the morning, and beheaded them vjitbout further procefs, 
Ralph lord Lumley, and Sir Thomas Blunt , fuffered at the 
fame timf. The reft were fent to Qxford, and there exe^ 
cUted, ' The duke of Exeter was all the v)hile in London, 
fxpeding the refult of this enterprife ; but vjhen he learned 
the unfavorc^ble turn it had taken, he immediately took 
horfe, and, viith Sir John Schevele, fed to the coaft of 
Effex, intending to efcape by fea ; hut being driven back 
in repeated attempts, he contrived to fecrete himfelf for 
feme time^ and luas at loft di/covered by the country people 
fitting in a friends houfe at fupper * . He vjas taken 
firft to Chelmsford, and thence, for the purpofe of greater 



* An old chroOicU quoted by Lei and ( Itlnersry^ VI, 31.^ fayt bt 
wot apprehended in a mill at Pritewefle. " jimd at Fytwe/l in EJe» 
Wes taken Sir John Holland duke o/Extter^ fiiTf,** Fapian, //. 342. 

E 3 /tcitrhy, 



5+ ANCIENT SONGS. 

fecurity, to Plefiy, the manor of the late duke ofGlouceftert 
in lubo/e death he *was generally thought to ha<ue bad too 
much concern. No Jooner, there/or, did the tenants and 
•villains of the manor undeiftand him to be in their po*wer, 
than, refol<ving to be themfel'ves the a'vengers of their de* 
ceafed lord, they compelled him to be deli've^-ed up to' them, 
and cut off bis head * . Thomas lord Dejpenfer (lately 
garl of Gloucejler) nuhofe particular Jhare in the plot does 
not appear y nuas intercepted in his flighty and beheaded at 
Brill cl. Server al others fufferedy on the fame account^ both 
at Oxford and London ; among ichom njoere Sir Bernard 
Br ocas i tir John Scbe'vele (already named J y and one 
Maudlin, a priefi, luho is, by fome nuriters \f reported te 
ha*ve been poffed upon the pecple for king Richard, Tho' 
mas Merks, bijhop of Car Lie, a prelate of uncommon fpirit 
and abilities, *u;as accufed and condemned, but afternuardt 
pardoned, though nemer forgi'ven. To fum up the nuhole, 
the unfortunate monarch for luhofe fake this rolling-ftone 
(as an old ^writer terms it) twas put in motion, bearing 



• In Pymer, Vol. VI JI, p, 121. is a mandate from the eouneil H 
the ccnjiablc if the Tuiier^ to receive the body of John earl of Hun- 
tingdotiy 'which leads Mr, Carte to conclude it certain that be tvas be* 
beaded in London. But this again is utttrly^ inconffent xvitb the aC» 
€ount given by Sir TV, Dugdale (Bare. II. 80. referring to Clam* 
1 H. IV, p. I. m. 16.^ c/'^' Kings fending his freCtpt to the cbmrtb* 
noardens of Plefiy, ** to deliver his head^^ to the countejs's me^ienger, 
** to be buryed With his body.** ^*fyt however, if the precept were 
not for the ** body " to be buoyed with the *' head,** which OtterbourtH 
0Xprefsly tells us %oas fent to London. JVefnd it, at leaftt to have iien 
the cafe ivith the earl of Kent, ivh'fe countrfs procured the kings pr^- 
rept to the fieriffs rf London, to take down hit heal, and deliver it to 
her to be buryed } and eftertuardt obtained leave that h:s body, interred 
at Cirencefer, might be taken upf and earryed to the priory rf Mount* 
grace in Cleveland^ tvhich he had founded. ( Baro. II, 77*/ 5'' *'/• 
the o El for the attainder and forfeiture of Kent, Huntingdon, Sali/bury, 
Defpenjer, and Lumley (there called " Rauf Lomley chivaler"). Rot. 
Path III. 459. which exprefsly fays, that all << par let loialx lieges 
jfre dit Sf le Roy feurent pri?ez & decoltez/* 

•\- VideStowe in particular \ and eonfult bit authority ^ the Frenib 
narrative mentioned in a preceding note* 

the 



ANCIENT SONGS. 55 

thi fatal eataftropbe ef his brother * and friends ^ amd mt^ 
terJj rejiSing allfuftenance^ had his offliQions fptedilj ttr^ 
minated by a brcien heart. (Walfingham^ Otterbourne, 
and the Monk of E*vejham \.J 

Suck are the tragical e'vents *which our balladmakir ha$ 
tonfidered as ft obje3s of buffoonery and fcurrility. His 
performance is nemerthelefs a curious and e^ven ufefui and 
inter efing appendage to Englijh hiftory^ as he has pre^ 

ferved the names of fever al prelates and nobles^ tvhcm n& 
biftorian has mentioned as having been engaged in this con^ 

/piracy. We mufi be content to remain in the dark fwitb 
refpeS to the origin or application of the nickname of 
** Jac Nape '* (Jackanapes) ; muhich appears to be de^ 

figned either for Surry or for Exeter » and may have de^ 

fended on fome anecdote or circumfiance vohich has perijhed 
moitb the fcandalous chronicle of the time, 

fhe ballad is given from a manufcript in the Cotton 
library, Vefpafian, B. xvi. 

•^* The Placebo and Dirige is part of the mafs or 
fervice for the dead in the Romijh churchy of ivhich the 
author diftrihutes the feveral parts among the charaQers 
be has introduced. 

Lucie viidov) of Edmund earl of Kent, brother and 
fucceffor to this Thomas y bequeathed looo crovfns to the 
priory of the Holy Trinity in London, on condition that 
every convent in each of the houfes named in her voill, 
feould once a month in their quire fay '^ Placebo and 
Dirige by note, for the fouls of them the f aid Edmund and 
Lstcie by name,*^ l^c. Dug. Baro. IL 77* 



* Edward tb* Biaeh Prince morryed the widow 0/ Tbemat Holland 
tori of Kent, motbor of John duke of Esteter, 

\ Tbefe are t be only wrifers ofautborityj Hall, Holinjbed, and Sir 
y* Hayward tell a mery different fiory : Mr, Carte is, as ufual, the mofi 
eorreSf tbougb be does not appear to be Jo in tvtry particular^ 

£ 4 ' ta 



S6 ANCIENT SONGS. 

JN the moneth of May^ when gf fle growep grene^ 
Flaunt m her floares, w' swete fauour, 
Jac Napes wold oii the fee, a maryn to ben. 
With his clogs & his cheyn, to feke more trefoar ; 
Suych a payn p'kked hym, he afked a confeiTour ; j 
Nicolas said, I am redi thi confefTour to be. 
He was holden To, that he ne pafTed that hour. 
For Jac Napes foule Placebo and Dirigi. 



Who shall execute his exequiesj w^ a solempnite« 

BiHhopes &c lordes, as grete refon is, lO 

Monkes, chanons, prefles and other clergie^ 

P*y for this Dukes foule, pat it might come to bhs; 

And let neu fuyclf another come after this. 

His int'fecto^'s, ble^ed might thei be. 

And g^unte them for ther dede to regne w^ angelis^ 15 

And for Jac N^pe foule Placebo & Dirige» 

Placebo begynneth the biflhop of Herford ; 

Dilext, for myn auauncement, faith pe biflhop of 

Cbeftre ; 
Heir me, faip Sahib ury, this goth to ferre forthe ; 
M Dum cu tribularert faip pe abbot of Glouc^ilre | 20 
Due cujlodit^ faip the abbot of Roucheflre ; 
Leuaut oculos, faip frere Stanbury, volausi 
Si intq* fates, faip pe biflhop of Worce[s]tre ; 
For Jac Nape foule, De profundis clamauu 



Ofet 



ANCIENT SONGS. 57 

4inuu tuar*, {erf the Cardynal wifely, 25 

brought forth coufinbw^ for all this Napes 

refon ; 
r vocemt fonge Allemighty god an hye, 
^fore fyng we, Magutficat aia nua Dum, 
this Dirige moft we gon & come, 
>afcall tyme, to fay veryli, jo 

pfalmes & thre leffons, p' all is and fome ; ' 
ic Nape foule. Placebo and Dtrtgt^ 

itors of this office, Dtrtg$ for to fynge, 

begyn the biilhop of Synt A Je ; 

mea aurib^, faip abbot of Redyng. 3^ 

rour loye and hope is come to alaife ; 

eri Dhi^ yet g*unte vs g*ce, 

bbot of Synt Albans, ful sonly ; 

tbbot of pe Toure hiil, w' his fat face, 

ep Sc tremulep, for Dhe m tnfurort. 49 

tv Water bard shal fyng Nequando ; 

.bbot of Weilmynilre, Dhe Deus meus in ttj^autt 

tm et^nam, g^unte them all to come to, 

I Patgr nojf , faip the biHhop of Synt Dauy : 

les foules pat wife were Sc nughtty, 4]^ 

Ik, moleyns, and Roos, thes thre; 

n efpeaal for Jac Napes, pat euer was wyly^ 

IS soak Placebo 8c D$nge. 



kift 



58 ANCIENT SONGS. 

Rife vp. Say, rede parce tn Domtne ; 

Hichtl enl funt dtes mtt^ p (halt Tyngc ; x r# 

fc biffhop of Carlyle, fyng Credo ful fore : 

To fuycll falj T^itours come foule endyng. 

The baron of Dudley, with grete mornyog, 

Redeth, tedet aiam meam 'Vtte mee : 

Who but D any el, qm lafaru^ shal fyng f ej 

For Jac Nape foule. Placebo & Dirtge, 

■ 

John Say redeth, mauus tuefecerunt me ; 

Libera me, fyngeth Trevihan, warre the rerc ; 

That thei do no more fo, Requte/cant tn pace : 

Thus p*yes all Englond ferre & nerre, 6o 

Where is Som'fet ? whi aperes he not here I 

To fy nge Dies ire & miferte? 

God g'unte Englond all in fere, ' 

For thes t*itours to fyng Placebo 8c Dirige. 

Meny mo ^ be behyndc, pe fothc forto telle, 65 

p^ shal mefles oppon thes do fynge ; 

J p*y som man do ryng the belle, 

fat pefe for faiden may come to pe facryng. 

And pat in brief tyme, w^out more taneng, 

Pat pis mefle may be ended in fuycfi degrc ; 70 

And pat all Englond loyfull may fynge, 

Pe comendacon with Placebo & Dtnge. 



ILLUS* 



ANCIENT SONGS. $9 

ILLUSTRATION OF THE NAMES IN THE 
PRECEDING BALLAD. 

V, 3. JacNape.] Suppo/ed to he a nickname for J ohm 
Holland duke of Exeter ^ or Thomas Holland duke of Surry. 

V. 6. Nicolas.] 

^.17. Biflhop of Herford.] John Tre^venant or Tn- 
frani, dyed 1404. He nvas K, Henrys ambajfador to tbi 
Pope in this ijery year. And it may be here mentioned^ 
pncefor all, that many of the perfons named in this ballad 
are not reprefented as halving bad the leafi concern in that 
conf piracy by any biftorian. 

V. 18. Bifftiop of Cheftre.] John Burghill was hi^ 
Jhop of Lichfield at this time, and is fuppojed to be here 
meant. '-^He dyed 1414* Vide Godwin, de praefulibus^ 
in locis. 

y, 19. Salifbury.] The bijkop of that fee is probably 
intended » This luas Richard Metf or d, nubo dyed in 1407. 

F. 20. Abbot of Gloucellre.J Walter Frowcejler^ d* 
1412. 

F, 21, Abbot of Roucheftre.] John de Shepty, d. 
1419. 

F. 22. Frere Stan bury.] 

F. 23. Biffhop of Worce[s]tre.] Tidemannus de JFiuch* 
combe, a favourite counfellor of the late king. He, on this 
9ccafion, retired to his bijhopric, and ^ivas never afterwards 
feen at court, Ifti duo epifcopi (fays the Monk of Eve" 
Jham, having juft before fpoken of Bijhop MerksJ privati 
viri Sc maximi coniiliarii cum Rege Ricardo dudum ex- 
titerunt. Adeo ut majorem partem no6lis per annum cuni 
illo infompnem ducerent. De quo multi multa loquun- 
tur. Vita R. Ricardill. p. 168. He dyed i\o v. 

F. 25. The Cardynal.] 

F. 34. Biffhop of Synt Affe.] John, Trevaur. Hi 
'was Henrys ambaffador to Spain in this year. Hie after ^ 
Huards joined Owen Glendowr, and dyed in 1410. 

r. 35. 



6o ANCIENT SONGS. 

V, 35. Abbot of Redyng.] ^/Vi&tfri/i/fr«f#^/ 

V, 38. Abbot of Synt Albans.] JohuM^^t^ dm I40j« 

V. 39. Abbot of pe Toure hill.] 

^.41. Maifter Water hard.] 

V. 42. Abbot of Wcftmynllrc] William ie Colcbefttr. 
Hi is expre/sly charged as the father of this nnfpiracf iy 
Hall, Hollinjhid^ and Sir John Hayward* He inwtes 
the noblemen and other confpirators to a fumptuous feaftt 
esnd it is after this dinner that Exeter is made to harsuigue 
the company, and propofe ajuft at Oxford as a sneans tt 
Jeixe and kill the King, iffr. He is faid^ on hearing of 
the ill confequences of his plot, to have Been flruck *wit& 
the pai/y, as pajjing between the abbey and his houfk^ and 
to have dyed fpeechlefs in a veryjhort timtt This, honv" 
tvtr, is certainly not true, as he lived till 1 420. Otter- 
bourne onfy fays, *' Abbas Weftm. & Rogerus Wal- 

den, tan turn qualiter Deus novit, poft 

interrogatienem 8c refponfiohem liberi dimittuntur. " 
/. 228. 

f^. 44. Biffhop of Synt Davy.] Guf de Mona. he 
nvas treafurer of England in the lift of K* Richard, and 
again in the 4/i of A. Henry. IValfinghasn fays of bim^ 
in general^ thai he had been the caufe of many #v/2r. He 
dyed 1407. 

V. 46. Suffolk, moleyns and Roos.] Michael de la, 
Pole, earl of Smfolk, dyed 141^. Sir fFilliam Molins, 
dyed 1406. fFiiliam lord Roos of Hamlake^ nrw Helms* 
iey^ vjat the only nobleman tvho enjoyed this titli at that 
time. He dyed 1 4 1 4. 

/'. 49. ^'ay.J 

k\ 51. Biflhop of Carlyle ] Thomas Merits. Hi was 
tcmmittcd to the Totver, and afienvardt, by the istter' 
cejion of his friends^ obtained leave to change bis frifon 
for Weftminfier Abbey, At the inftamce of K. Hirnry^ he 
nvas tranjlatcd by the Pope to a bijlfopric in partibus. asid 
mevcr aftervoard obtained any preferment im Englmttdt ex» 
tfpt a reBory in Glomcejferfiin by mituet •f tkt Popes lit* 
tits. He dyed 1409. 



ANCIENT SONGS. 6i 

F. 53^ Baron of Dudley.] John di Suitcm was ltd 
tf Dudley at this time, and dyed im 1407. 

F. 55. Danycl.] 

F. 57. John Say.] 

F. 58. Trevilian.] 

F. 61. SomVct.] John Beaufort earl of Somerfet^ 
Hemrjs half brother. He marryed Margaret, ffter H 
Thomas duke of Surry % and dyed in 1409. (V. anie 

/• 54) 



in. 



SATIRE AGAINST TllE LOLLARDS, 

p articularly levelid at Sir John Oldcafile, Lord 
Cohham, the Coryphaus of the feB ; nuho^ halting heem 
tondemned to the flames for his erroneous opinions ^ made his 
ejcapefrom the Tonuer before the day appointed for his ext" 
€ution, This happened in the yeear 14139 wDhen the prM* 
font ballad feems to have been nuritten. Lord Cobham ise 
his retreat, in order to effeS a fpeedy and thorough refor^ 
mation both in Church and State, formed a plan of feiK» 
tag the h'ngs per/on, and a^ually caufed a large body of 
his enthufiaflic adherents, to the number, as is faid, of 
20»000, all totally ignorant of his defi^ns, but not the lefs 
ready to execute his orders, to ajfemble in St, Gileses flelds,^ 
nnheri many of them *were feixed, and the reft difperfed by 
the ci*vil po^joer. And their chieftain himfelf, being taken 
a frw years after ^ inas hanged as a fraitor, and burnt 



62 ANCIENT SONGS. 

9m ihf gihhit at a heretic ^ furfnant to bis/entenct. (Vide 
Rot. Pari. IV. 107, &c.) 

hollar dy^ a njoord of uncertain deri'vativn, is tvell 
known to mean luith us the dc^rines propagated hy John 
WickVtffe and his follower Sy luhicb had in the hegiuming 
ef this reign gained a confiderable footing. To check the 
further progrefs of this popular herefy^ and nudntain the 
£aufe of *• the great goddeft Diana^^* 'which appears t9 
have been in no fmall danger *, the reigning clergy had 



• the intent of the LolUrds (according to the Stat» 2 H. V. c. 7.) 
w«i to Jubvtrt tbi Chriftlan Faith, the Latv o/Godf the Church and 
the Realm. The folloiv'wg difitch itfuppoftd t* have been circulated 
by Jome of the Je3 about this period : 

Wit hath wonder, and reafon cannot fcany 

How a moder is mayd, acd God is man. 
fFbicb Mr, Barring ton tells us was thus anfwered by <^ the orthodox i^* 

Leve reaibo, beleve the wonder j 

Belef hath mafter, and reafon is under. * 
Not doubting that this fpecimen of divine logic bad all the fuecefs 
it defervedf we Jball add an equally happy elucidation ef that here' 
ticat fumblmg' block, though Catholic miracle, tbo tranfubjtantiated 
wafers 

Hyt femes quite and is red, 

Hyt it quike and femes dede^ 

Hyt is fleHie Sc femes bred, 

Hyt is on Sc femes too, 

Hyt is God body Sc 00 mo* 

MSS. Reg. 17 A. xvu 
7ins may not be quite fucb fmootb poetry , but furely it is as good rei' 
fining as Mr, Drydeus vieio of the tenets of the two churches on this 
point foon after his converjon t 

The literal fenfe is hard to flefli and bloody 

But nonfenfe never can be uoderftood. 

(Hind and Panther,) 
As if tbi aeknowleged impoJ/ibiHty of one aj'ertion were afufficient in* 
ducemtnt to believe it, when oppojed to the uninttlligibility of emo* 
tber, 

* Fido Ob/crftetiont on the StatuttSf p* 3X0t 

6 r$e9iirf$ 



ANCIENT SONGS. 63 

mrfe t§tnjoo methods ; of nvhich Ridicule or Satire was 
more innocent, hut Hanging and Burning the more ef» 

cioujf* 

The following halladis contained in the fame MS, tuitJh 
preceding. The only liberty taken with it, hejides the 

mge of pointing, has been to di^uide each line according 

'he rime. 



LO he pat can« be c^ftes clerc. 
And knowe pe knoctes of his crede. 
Now may se a wonder werke. 
Of harde happes to take goud heede^ 
The dome of deth is heuy drede> 5 

For hym p' wol not m^cy cric, 
pan IS my rede, for mucke ne mede^ 
P' no man melle of Lollardrye* 

J sey for mefelf, yut wift J neii. 

But now late what hit shuld be, to 

ic by my trouth J haue wel led. 

No more kyn pan my a. b. c. 



*rbe latter argument js irrefragable, and indeed the only wndi •/ 
vision upon which the Orthodox Clergy of all ages and countries 
e, as the dernier rcfort, cho/en to rely. It tuas ujed at the Reform 
'on voitb great fuccrfsf particularly by that pious prince and Jubtit 
fogift Henry yilJ. wbofe ultima ratio it vtas in all bis public dif» 
\tioni, where J as it well known, be never failed to fdence bit 9p»> 
nt* Unfortunately^ jome of the moft dexterous polemics of that fe" 
were afterwards confuted upon their own principle, (Fide Foxes 
'tyrSf Lives of Cranmer, Ridley ^ &c%) 

To 



64 ANCIENr SONGS. 

To lolle fo hie m saych degre» 

Hit IS no fiAt pfeae, 

Saaf seker sample to pe & me, 15 

To be war of lollardie. 



The game is no}t to lolle fo hie, 
f^ fete fallen fondement^ 
& ynt 18 a mocft folie. 
For fals beleoe to ben brent ; 
f^ pe bibeU is al mys went. 
To langle of Job or Jeremye, 
P' conftruen hit after her entente 
For lewde luft of lollardie. 



Hit IS vnkyndly for a knift» 2J 

p shuld a kynges caftel kepe. 

To bable pe bibel day & nift^ 

Jn reftyng tyme when he shlild slepe^ 

& carefoly awey to crepe> 

For alle pe chief of chiualne, 30 

Wei aught h^ to waile & wepe» 

F' fuych laft hap m lollardie. 

An old caftel & not repaired, 

W waft walles Se wowes wide, 

Pe wages ben ful yuel wared, 35 

W luicK a capitayn to abide. 



pu 



ANCIENT SONGS. 6$ 

• * 

pat rereth not for to nde 

Agayns pe kyng 8e his clergie^ 

W p*uc peyne & pore pride^ 

Per IS a poynt of lollardie. 40 



For many a man w^yn a while 

Shal aby his gult ful fore» 

So fele goiles to be gild, 

Hym aught to rue edmore ; 

For his sorowe shal he nei^ reftore, 45 

P^ he venemed w* enuye. 

But ban pe burthe p^ he was of bore« 

Or eu had lull m lollardie. 

£dy shepe p^ shuld be fed m felde^ 

& kepte fro wolfes m her folde, jd 

He nedeth ne^ spere ne shulde^ 

Ne in no caftel to be w'holde. 

For ji pe pafture is ful colde. 

In som^ sefon when hit is dne, 

ic namly when pe foyle is foldej 55 

For lewde lafi of Lollardie. 



An old caltel draw al don. 

Hit is ful hard to rere it newe^ 

W' suych a congregacon, 

Pat call hem to be yntrewe 2 60 

P Whem 






66 ANCIENT SONGS. 

When htggs mow nep bake ae brcvpt^ 
Ne haue wlierw' to borow ne bie» 
pan mot [they] not robbe or reve, 
Vnde[r] pe colour of Liollardia« 



That caflel is not for a kyng^ 

J^ pe walks ben o&throwe^ 

& yut wel wors abidyng. 

Whan pe captayn away is flowe ; 

And forfake fpere & bowe. 

To crepe fro kni|thode into dergit^ 

J^ IS a bitter blaft yblowe. 

To be bawde .of lollardie* 



J trowe p' be no knift alyae 

P^ wold haue don fo open a shamej, 

For pat crafte to ftudi or ftnne yj; 

Hit is no gentel manes game ; 

But if hym luft to haue a namo- 

Of pelo** vnder ipocrafie» 

& p' were a foule defame 

To haue suych lofe of lollardie^ 80 

And |ide lolle pei neu'fo long> 
Yut wol lawe make he lowte, 
God wol not sufFre he be fo ftrong 
To bryng her p^pos fo abowte ;, 



ANCfENT SONGS* 67 

W^ saunf fade 8c saunf donte^ 
To rere not and robbene^ 
By refon pei shul not long route. 
While pe taile is docked of lollardie. 



Of pe hede hit is las charge 

When g^ce wol not be hia gide, 90 

Ne suffre hym for to lepe at large> 

But heuely his hede to hide. 

Where shuld he op route or ride 

Agayns pe chief of chiualne. 

Not hardi m no place to abide» gj 

For alle pe fekte of lollardie. 

A god, what vnkyndly goft 

Shuld greue p' god grucched nouft t 

Thes lollardes p^ lothen ymages mofi 

W' manes handes made & wrouft^ too 

& pilg'mages to be souft, 

pel feien hit is but mawmentne | 

He pat pis lofe firft vp broujt 

Had gret luft m lollardie. 

He wer ful lewde p^ wold byleue 1C5 

In figure made of ilok or fton, 
Yut fo'me shuld we non repue 
Nejp of mane ne of Jon» 

F 2 Petre, 



68 ANCIENT SONGS. 

Petre, poule^ ne o/ non 

Canonlfed by clergie,. Bia 

pan pe seyntes euychoii 

Be litel holde to lollardie. 



And namly James among he alle 

For he twyes had fnement,. 

Moch mifchanfe mot hi be falle 115* 

p' lall beheded hym in kent ; 

8c alle pat wer^ of pat aflent 

To en ft of heuen J clepe & cne- 

Sende he pe fame Jugement^ 

& all pe fekte of lollardie. I2#^ 

For p^ vengans agayns kynde 

Was a poynt of cowardyfe^ 

& namly suych on to bete or bynde 

P^ mi^t not ftand fet ne rife ; 

What dome wold ye hy deuyfe I2£ 

By lawe of armes or gentrie. 

But ferue hy m pe fame wife 

& alle pe fekte of lollardie i 

When figilfnes failep frele folic,. 

P*de wol pfeyn fone among, njo* 

pan willerdomc w* old enuy 

Can noii op way but wrong;. 

For 



ANCIENT' SONGS, «9 

For fynne & shame w* forowe flrong. 

So oufet w' avutne, 

P' fals beleue is fayn to fong 135 

Pe lewde kft of loUardie. 



And vnder colo*" of suich lollyng. 

To shape fodeyn surrecaon 

Agaynft oure hege lord kyng, 

W fals ymagiiaaonn. . 140 

& for p^ cor fed concluiion. 

By dome of knifthod & clergie. 

Now t^'neth to confufioS 

Pe Igry fekte of loIIardiff« 

* 

Foi: holy wnt benth witnes 145 

He p^ fals IS to his kyng 

pt shamful deth & hard diflrefs 

Shal. be his dome at his endyng ; 

Pan double deth for fuych lollyng 

Is heuy when we flial heiies hye» i jci 

Now lord p^ madefl of nou^t all thing 

Defende vs all fro Lollardie. 



• 






fj IV. A 



7d ANCIENT SONGS. 



IV. 



A ROUNDELL OF • KYNG HENRY pE SEXT 
AYENS HIS CORONACION^ 

MADE BY LYDEGATB BAUIf JOHN. 

From the HarUian MSS. N* 7333. Dam J^bm LidgaH 
tKoni of Bury, *wbot if *we regard the hulk and nmmle 
§f his 'writings, wai certmnlj the greateft poet 'wg eve 
had, djed njery old, atmo 14 • • • Hem, FL ^was crawm 
in 1422. 

REioice ye Reames of englond & of ffraonce, 
A braunche pat fpraog onte of the floare de tyi 
Blode of Semt Edward and Seint lowys, 
God hath this day fent m godnaunce* 

God of nature hath yoven him fuffifaunce 5 

Likly to atteyne to grete honure and pns. 

O heirenly blofTome, o budde of all plefaonce, 
God graunt the grace for to ben als wife 
* As wa': thi fader by circumfped advife^ 
Stable m v'tue withoute vanaunce. <* 



V. il 




ANCIENT SONGS. 71 



V. 

A ROUNDEL ON FORTUNE. 
From MSSn Mart. Ff. 1. 6. 

WHEN fortune lift yewe here aflcntt 
What IS too deme p' may be doo^ 
There fchipeth nought from her entente 
For as fche will it goth ther to* * 

m 

AH pafleth by her iagement» j 

The hy aftace the pore allfoo. 

When Fortane [&c.] 

Too lyire m loy oat of turment» 
Seyng the worlde goth too and frc^ 
Thus IS my fchort avifeament^ 
As hyt comyth so lete it go. 10 

When Fortune [&c.] 



F4 VI. A 



9t ANCIENT SONOS. 



VI. 

A SONG ON AN INCONSTANT MISTRESS. 

From tie /ami MS. 

TT7HO fo lyft tolooe god fend hym right good 

Some tyme y loued, as ye may fee^ 

A goodlyer ther myght none be^ 

Here womanhode m all degree^ 

Fall well ihe qoytt my mede* j 

[Who fo lyft, &€.] 

Vn to the tyme> vpon a day. 

To fone ther fill a gret affray. 

She badde me walke forth on my way^ 

On me ihe gatt none hede. 

Wofo lyft, &ۥ 

J aflcid the caufe why and wherfor, 10 

She difpleiide was w^ me fo fore ; 
She wold nat tell, but kept m ftore, 
Perdy it was no nede. 

Wofo lyft. See. 

for 



\ 



ANCIENT SONGS. 73 

For if y hadde Hur difpleafed 

Jn worde or dede, or Kir greued, 15 

Than if (he hadde before meved^ 

She hadde caufe m dede. 

Wofo lift, to. 

Bat well y wote y hadde oat done, 

Hur to difplefe, but m grete mone 

She hath me left and ys a gone, a9. 

For forwe my hert doth blede. 

Wo fo lyft, &c. 

Some tyme fhe wold to me complayne, 
Yff (he had felt dyfeafe or payne. 
Now fele y nought but grete difdayne^ 
AUasj what is your rede ? 25 

Wo fo lift^ &c. 

Shall y leae of, and let hur go ? , 
Nay ner the rather will y do fo. 
Yet though vnkyndnefTe do me wo, 
Hur will y loue and drede. 

Wo fo hft, &c. 

Some hope that whan (he knowith the caft, 30 
Y trufte to god that withyne ihort fpafe 
She will me take a gayne to grace. 
Than haue y well a bydde. 

Wo fo lift, &c. 

Aad 



I 
\ 



\ 



74 ANCIENT SONGS. 

And for trem Umtn &aU j ^ntf, 
Th^ iutt hdya fzo dzy to dajr, 
M^/ |j«^& rtwzrde fe that ihej maj 
Wiiii ujy ihtr Ijwu ledc. 

Wo & lift, &c 



A SONG ON THE IVY AND THE HOLLV- 

I 

1?fm a MS, rf HiHfy tbt 6tbs timi. (BihL HarL 

No 5396 J 

NAY, juy, nay, hyt (hal not be J wy$. 
Lot holy hale pe mayllry as pe mafter ys« 

Holy flond m pe halle fay re to be hold, 
Juy ftond w^out pe dore, ihe ys ful fore a cold. 

Nayt juy [Sec.} 

UiJy %^ hyi mcry meo pey dawnfyn Sc pey fyiig, S 
Juy %^ hur maydcny^ pey wepyn & they wryng. 

Nay [&c.] 



ANCIENT SONGS. 



75 



Jvy hath a lybe, fhc kaght yt w^ pc colde. 
So mot pcy all hafae p' w' jvy hold. 

Nay, Juy, noy, hyt [&c.] 

Holy hat berys as rede as any ft)fe. 
The fofter pe hunter kepe hem fro pe doo. lo 

Nay, juy, nay, hyt [&c.] 

Juy hath berys as blake as any flo, 
Ther com pe oule & ett hym as ihe goo. 

Nay, juy, nay, hyt [Src] 

I 

Holy htth byrdys a fal fayre flok. 
The nyghtyngale, pe poppynguy, pe gauntyl lanyrok. 

Nay [Sec] 

Gode juy* what byrdys zUff 15 

None but pe howlet p^ kreye how how. 

Nay, juy, nay, hyt fhal [&c.] 



vm. A 



76 ANCIENT SONGS, 



VIII. 
A SONG IN PRAISE OF SIR PENNY. 

Vbe praifes of ibis 'vcorthy knight ha'ue htem afanfturite 
topic both nuitb the Lnglijh and Scotijb poets,— Set ** Au" 
€ient Scotijb poems, *^ publijhed by Lord Hailes^ EdiMhurgh 
1770. /. 153 ; or the ** Caledonian Muje,'* Lond, 1735* 

p, 164. There is an excellent poem on this fubjeB in a 

MS. of the Cotton library, Galba E, ix. This is from 
she Sloane MS. (N^ 2593^ above defcribed. 



G 



O bet peny go bet for f mskf bop^ fiynd U 
fo. 

Peny is an hardy kny^, 
Peny is mekyl of my?t, 
Peny of wrong he makyt^ft. 

In eiiy cutr' qwer he goo. 5 

Pow J haue a ma j flawe, 
& forfetyd pe kyngp lawc, 
J xal fyndy a ma of lawe« 

Wyl taky my peny Sc let me goo. 

& jf J, haue to do fer or ner, 10 

& peny be my mafl*enger, 
P'n am j no ping m dwer. 

My caufe xal be wol do. 




ANCIENT SONGS. 7/ 

& jf J hane pens bop^ good & fyn. 
Me wyl byddy me to p^ wyo^ 
p J bane zal be p', I j 

Sekyrly pci wil fcyn fo. 

& ^n J haae no 1 my purs, 

Peny bet ne peny wers. 

Of me pel boldy bat lytil fon. 

He was^ a ma let hy goo. Z9 



IX. 

••LYTYLL THANKE.'' 

From a MS. in tbt Cotton library (Titus A, xx*oi.} 
tf Henry the 6tbs time. A frw fianzas at the beginning 
^e/nffo/ed to be loft. 



GO ye be fibre be twayne and twayne^ 
Wyfly that ye be not J fayne. 
And J fhatl go home & com a gayae. 
To witte what dothe owre ryre> 

Gode gofyp. 

For fyff" hit happ he dyd me fee, 
A ftrype or to ged myght fend me, 
fytte fche that is a ferre lette her flee. 
For thai is nowght be pts fyre, 

Gode gofyp.. 



That 



78 ANCIENT SONGS. 

That euyche of hem browght ^ dyfche. 

Sum browght Hefhe and fom brought fyfhe; to 

Quod margery meke than w^ a wyife^ 

J wold p' ffrankelyne pe harper were here^ 

Gode gofip* 
She hade notte fo Tone pe word J fayd^ 
But m come ffrankelyn at a brayd^ 
God faue youe> maftres, he fayde> 15 

J come to make youe fome chere» 

Gode gofyp. 



A non he be gan to drawe owght his harpe^ 
Tho the gofTypp^ be gan to ftarte. 
They callyd the tawyrner to ffyll pe qnarte^ 
And lette note for no coile^ 10 

Good gofyp. 

Then feyd pe gofTypp^ all Jnfere, 
Streke vp harp, 8c make gode chere^ 
& wher that J goo fere or nere. 
To owrt hu[s]bondp make pou no Sofie, 

God goiSp. 

Nay maftres, as mote J thee, 25 

Ye fchall newyr be wrayed Sot me, 
J had leii her dede to be 

As here of to be knowe. 

Good go/ypr 

Thef 




ANCIENT SONGS. 7^ 

They flyllcd the pottp by & by. 

They lett not for no cofte trully^ 30 

The harpyr ftroke vp merrely. 

That they myght onethe blowe, 

Goodgoiyp^ 



They fette them downe they myght no morc^ 
Thcyre leggp pcy thought were paflyng foore. 
They prayd the harper kepe Aim flore, 35 

And lette vs drynke a bowght, 

Godegofyp. 
Heye the tanernere J praye the. 
Go fyll the potteys lyghtyly. 
And latte vs dry[n]ke by & by. 
And ktte the cupe goo route, 40 

Good gofyp*. 

This ys the thowght that gofTyp' take, 
Onys m the weke they wyll merey make. 
And all fmalle drynckys they wyll for fake. 
And drynke wyne of the befi:. 

Good gofyp. 

Some be at the tauerne onys Jn the weke, 4> 

And fome be there eiiy day eke. 
And ellfe ther hartp will be feke. 
And gyffe her hofbondys ewyll reile. 

Good gofyp. 

Wheis 



8o ANCIENT S O N G 9* , 

When they had dronke & made pem' gladj 
And they fchuld rekyn' theyn' pey fad^ f 

Call they tauernere a none they bade^ 
That we were lyghtly hens. 

Good gofyp. 
J fwere be god and by feynt Jayme, 
} wold notte that oure fyre at home. 
That we had this game, j 

Notte for fourty pens. 

Good gofyp. 

Gadyr the fcote & lette vs wend. 

And lette vs goo home by 1 ureas ende^ 

For dred we mete note w^ owre frend 

Or that we come home, 6 

Good gofypb 
When they had there countp cafle, 
Eaeryche of hem fpend vj<^ at pe lait, 
Alas, cothe fey feel y, J am a gafte^ 
We fchall be fchent eury chone. 

Good gofyp. 



Fro the taueme be they all goone, 65 

And eiiyche of he fchewythe her wyfdom. 
And there fche tellythe her hufbond anone, 

Shee had been at the chyrch^, 

Gode gofyp. 

r*. 55. The mrJs (hold wjt, er otbenoftbt like imf9ft,feim «MJtf- 
Mtf tQftrJtS bath tbtjtajt and the mure. 

Of 



ANCIENT SONGS Si 

Off her werke fhc takythe no kepc, 

Sche mufle as for anowe go fclepe, jo 

And ells for aggeyr wyJi fche wepe^ 

She may no werkp wurche^ 

Good gofyp. 

Off* her. flepe when fche dothe wake 

Faile in hey then gan fche a rake, 

And cawthe her ferwant/? abowte the bake> j^ 

Yff to here they outhe had fayd^ 

Good gofyp. 
Off pis profes J make a nend, 
Becawfe J will haue wome to be my ffrend^ 
Of there de wofyon they uold fend 
A peny for to drynke at the end, 8o 

Gode gofyp. 



w 



X. 

A CHRISTMAS CAROL. 
From tie Sloan MS. N' 2593. 

m 

OIcQ )ol pu mery ma in worchepe of pi8 holy 
day. 

G WolCH 



82 ANCIENT SONGS. 

Wolcu be pu heuene kyng^ 
Wolcu born m on morwenyg^ 
Wolcu for ho we zal fyng, 

Wolcu fol. 

Wolcu be je ftefnc & Jon, r 

Wolcu jnnocetp eiiychon, 
Wolcu thomas mart^ on, 

Wolcu |ol. 

Wolcu be je good newe jer*, 

Wolcu twelpe day bop<^ in fer, 

Wolcu feyntp lef & dcr. Id 

Wolcu fol. 

Wolcu be je candylmeflc, 
Wolcu be je qwy of bJys, 
Wolcu bope to mor & leffe, 

Wolcii |oK 

Wolcu be je p^ am her, 

Wolcii alle & mak good cher, i e 

Wolcu idle a op ler, 

Wolcu joK 



XI. CAROL 



ANCIENT SONGS. 83 



XL 

CAROL FOR ST. STEPHENS DAY. 
Fritm the /ami MS, 

SEyt fteoene was a clerk 1 kyg hcrowd^ halle, 
& feruyd hi of bred 8c clop as ed kyg be falle. 

Steuy out of kechon ca w^ bons hed 5 honde. 
He faw a fterr' was fayr 8c bry^t ou bedle fl5de. 

He kyfl a dou pe bor^ hed 8c went in to p^ halle^ 5 
J for fak p« kyg herowdp 8c p* werkp alle, 

J forfak p« kyg herowdp & p* werkp alle, 
P^ IS a chyld m bedle bom is bet^ pa we alle« 

Q^t cylyt p« ftcuen ? q'^t is p« be falle ? 

Lakkytp^ eyp mete or drynk in kyng herowdp h[alle] f 

Lakit me neyp mete ne drynk 1 kyg herowdp halle^ 1 1 
y u SL chyld m bedle born is bet^ pa we alle. 

Q^t eylyt p® fteuy ? art / wod, or jr* gynyft to brede ? 
Lakkyt pe ey^ gold or h, or ony ryche wede f 

G a Lakyt 



«4 ANCIENT SONGS. 

Lakyt ne neyj( gold nor fe, ne n5 ryche wede, Ij 

y 15Z chyld m bedle born xal help/ vs at o^ nede* 

P* IS al fo fop, ftcuf , al fo fop j wys. 

As pis capon prowe xal f lyth her m my dych. 

P' word was not fo fone feyd, p^ word I p^ halle, 

P^ capon crew xps nai? eft a mong p^ lordp alle. 2% 

Ryfyt vp my turmetowr^ be to & al be on, 
ic led' fteuy out of pis town & Aon' hy w' flon« 

Tok^^ he fteucne.& ftonyd hy m pe way, 
k f for IS his euy on cryftp owy day. 



XII. 

CAROL FOR ST. EDMUNDS DAY. 
From i/je /ami MS. 

§ 

QYnge we nowe alle a fu* Jue rex 'getis* Anglaru. 

A new fong j wil be gyne. 

Of kyng edmund p' was fo fre. 

How he deyed w' oute fyne, 
U bow[n]dy his body waa to a tre. 5 



ANCIENT SONGS. 

' W arwys fcharpe pey giine hy prykke. 

For no rcwp' wold pey lete. 
At dropys of reyn pey comf ptkke, ' 
It euy arwe w' o^ gi mete. 



& hii bed alfo pei of fmette, 

A moDg pe bterp pei iC kelt, 
A wolf It kept w' oucy lette, 

A blynd ma fond it tX y' Uft. 
\ 
Prey we to p" worp" fcyng 

p' fuficrid ded pis fame day. 
He ftf vs bop* eld & iyng, 

& fclield vs fro pe fendf fray. 




G| 




gjI3C3l®l3C @€)J(3«^. 



CLASS 



in. 



Comprehending ihe Reigns of Edward IV. Eot 

WARD V. Richard III. Hekrv VII. 

and Henry VIII, 



BALET, BY ANTHONY WOODVY^E EARI, 
RIVERS. 

WfttTTBN DVRIHG %IS lUPRlJONMENT IM POHTI* 
FRACT CA9TLE, ANNO 1483. 

Thii little piece ii frtfervei iy Rou/t tie hijlerim 
(p. 214^. and hai been reprinted by Percy (Reliques, II. 
44,1. But ai the uj'e of ihe Fairfax MS. enahteii the pre- 
Jem tditsr lofupply a eonjiderable chafm in the printed ee- 
fiet, the twriout reader ivill nut ht ferry tafee il tempiete. 



Ancient songs. 



87 



rike mia/ure, *whicb is new properly regulatid, tvas 
hgariij adopud bj Jong^^rittrSf from Chaucer to SkeU 

"hi mufic of the MS. is (as ufual) a compofition im 
t farts, hy Dr. Fajrfax. 



SUM what mnfyng. 
And more mcM'nyng, 
Jn remembring 

The unflydfaftneSf 
This world being 
Of fuch whelyng. 
Me contrarieng. 

What may J gcffc ? 



J fere dowtles, 
Remediles^ 
Js now to fefc 

My wofull chaunce 

[For vnkyndnefli 
W outen lefT, 
& no redreiT, 

Me doth a vaunce. 



10 



n 



W difplefaunce. 
To my grevaunce, 
& no furaunce. 

Of remedy ], 

G4 



30 

Lo 







88 ANCIENT SONGS, 

Lo in this traonce^ 
Now in fubftaance^ 
Such is my dawnce, 

Willyng to dye. 



Me thynkys truly ^c 

Bowndjrn am J, 
And chat gretly^ 

To be content ; 
Seyng playnly 

That fortune doth wry jp 

All contrary 

From myn entent. 

My lyfF was lent 
Me to on intent, 
Hytt is ny fpent ; 35 

Welcome fortune : 
But J ne went. 
Thus to be (hent. 
But iho hie ment. 

Such is hur won. 40 




V, 30. That emitted. MS. 
V* 34. To an eoieot. MS. 



11. GRA- 




ANCIENT SONG^. 8f 



II. 

GRAMERCY MYN OWN PURSE. 

Gi*ven from thi ** Boke ** of ** ha^wkynge \i hun» 
tjfnge" i^c. hettet knoiun h ^^^ ^^^^^ 9f f^f ** Boki of 
Saint Alban$^* tvbere it 'was firft printidi by the anoifjf» 
mom fcboolmafier^ i486. But tbe edition made uji of <was 
tbe fecondf *• Enpryntid at Weftmefire by IVxnkyn tbe 
Worde tbe yere of thyticarnacon of oure lorde. M,CCGC» 
lxxxx*vi>'* 

' ** Dame Jufyans B ernes ^"^^ tbe compiler of tbis 'volume p 
or at leaf the author efs of tbe ** boke of [bawfynge andf\ 
huntyngi^^^for^ befides t^iSf it contains " Uber arm^nim^* 
" the treaty fe offyjjhynge loyth an angle,*^ and ** tbe bia- 
fynge of armeSf^ — // generally fuppo/ed to ha*ve been the 
daughter of Sir James Berners of Bernerj Roding in EJex^ 
mtd fifter to Richard lord Berners ; Jbe. 'was priorefs of tbe 
nunnery of Sopeiuell near St, Albans^ and is faid to have 
fiourijhed in and about the year 1460. (See Bale ^' Bailor ds 
Memoirs of Britijh Ladies ^ l£c,) 

After the " Explicit " of this laft " boke " are fome 
mifcellaneous ohfewations ^ as^ " Befly's ' of tbe chace ; " 
*• Tbe names of dyuers manere houndes;** " SThe propria 
tees of a good Grehounde ;" '* The proprytees of a good 
bpfe I** fe<veral old curious pro'verbial fentences i •• Thd 
company es of beftys fcf foules ; " " The deijue termys to 
fteke of brekynge or^ dreffynge of dyuers beeftys W foules. 

i^c And . . , . of cert en fyjjhes j'*. ** The fiyres -and 

hyjjbopryckes [^ prouynces'X of Englonde. '* And 

theut but nuithout any title or bead^ comes the foUo'Uiing 
ballad, \j^g, e* vi, b.'\ 

, G 5 A Fay thfuU 



X 



9« ANCIENT SONGSi 



AFaythfull frende wolde I fayne fynde. 
To fy nde hym there he myghte be foande^ 
But now is the worlde we^t Too vnkynde^ 
P< frenfiiip is fall to the groud^. 
Now a frende I haoe foirde C 

That I woll nother banne ne curfe^ • 
Bat of all frendes in felde or towhCj 
Eaer gramercy ittyn owhe purfe. 

My purfe it is my preuy wyf. 

This fonge I dare bothe fynge and {^^c, )^ 

It partyth men of rooche dryfe^ 

Whan eaery man for hlfclf (hall pa)r. 

As I ryde in riche aray, 

for golde and fyluer men woll me flouryffh^ 

By this matere I dare well fay, || 

Euer grtmtrcy ihyii own purfe. 

As I ryde wyth golde fo rede. 

And haue to doo wyth londys lawe^ 

Men for my money wol] make me fpttdCf 

And for my goodes they woll me knawe ; s#, 

More and lefle to me woll drawe» 

fiotbo the better and the wurfe. 

By this matere I faye in fawe, 

Sner gramercy myn owne purfe. 



Jf 



ANCIENT SONGS. 91 

'ell by me vpon a tyme, %^ 

it hath doo ,by many one mo, 
horfcy my netc, my fhepc, my fwyne^ 
d all my goodes they fell me fro, 
ent to my frendt's and tolde theym fo, 
d home agayne they badde me cruiTe ; 50 

yd agayne whan I was wo 
;r gramercy myn owne purfTe* 



erforc I rede you, fy res all, 
aflaye your frendes or ye haue ncde, 
and ye come downe and haue a fall, jj 

1 fewe of theym for you woll grede : 
;rfore aiTaye theym euerychone, 
he the better and the wurfe : 
r lorde that (hope bothe fonne and mone 
.de ys fpendynge in our purfe. 40 



III. 



T R O L Y L O. 

/ong, fwhich is given from MSS. SUaM, N^ 1584, 
600 Jk, partly paper ^ partly parchment, chiefly nurit* 
*' Jobann' Gyjborn Canonic' de Couh'^m,'* ijobo/e 

1 moMuat 



92 ANCIENT SONGS. 

manual or focket-baok it fumt to ba'ut hten (tfe B, %,) 
if it he that mentioned by Langbam under the alfve title 
has been once fifular, iKbicb ii tbe friucipal iuducemiM 
to its injertioH* 



So well ys me be gone, troly lole fo 
Well ys me be gone troly loley. 

OFF foyng men J wyll begyne. Troly, loley. 
For they goo mynyon trym. Troly, loley. 
Off mett & drynk & feyr clothyng. Troly, loley. 
By dere god J want none. Troly, loley. 
His bonet is of fyne fcarlett. Troly, loley, \ 

W* here as black os gcitt. Troly, lolye. 
His dublett ys of fyne fatyne. Troly, lolye. 
Hys ihertt well mayd & tryme. Troly, lolye. 
Hys coytt itt is fo tryme & rownde. Troly, lolye. 
His kyfle is worth a c^. Troly, lolye. V 

His hoyfre of london black. Troly, lolye. 
Jn hyme ther ys no lack. Troly, lolye. 
His face yt ys fo lyk a ma. Troly, lolye. 
Who cane butt love hyme tha ? Troly, lolye. 
Wher fo eu he bee he hath my hert. Troly, lolye. V 
And ihall to deth depart. Troly, lolye. 

So well ys me begone, troly, loly. 
S[o] well ys me be gone. Troly, lolye. 



»■ . . 



IV. THl 



ANCIENT SONGS. 93 



IV. 

THE DYING MAIDENS COMPLAINT. 
From the fame MS* 

GReuas ys my forowe. 
Both evyne and moro, 
Vnto my felffe a lone^ 
Thus do J make my mowne. 
That vnkyndnes haich kyllyd me, 5 

And putt me to this peyne, 
Alas what remedy. 
That J cannot refreyne. 

Whan other me doyth fleypc, 

Thene do J fyght and weype, lo 

All Ragins in my bed. 

As one for paynes neyre ded ; 

That vnkyndnes haue kyllyd me. 

And putt me to this payne, 

Alas what remedy, Ij 

That J cannott refreyne. 

M7 



1 



94 ANCIENT SONGS. 

My^'hartc ytt hauc no relic. 

Butt ftyll w' peynp oppreilc. 

And yett of all my smart, 

Ytt grevitb molle my harte, 20 

That vnkyndnes (huld kyll me^ 

And putt me to this payne, 

Alas what remedy. 

That J cannott refreyne. 



Wo worth truft vntrufty ! 25 

Wo worth love vn lovyd ! 

Wo worth hape vn blamyd I 

Wo worth favtt vn namyd ! 

Thus vnkyndly to kyll me. 

And putt me to this payn, 30 

Now alas what remedy. 

That J cannott refrayne. 



Alas J lyve to longe. 

My paynes be fo flronge, 

Por c.'forth haue J none, 35 

God wott J wold fayne be gone ; 

For vnkyndnes haith kyllyd me. 

And putt me to this payne, 

Alas what remedy. 

That J cannott refreyne. 40 



jff 



ANCIENT SONGS. 95 

Jff ony wyght be here 

That byeth love fo dere. 

Come here lye downe by me. 

And wcypc for company ; 

For vnkyndnes haith kyllyd me, 4j 

And putt me to this payne^ 

Alas what remedy^ 

That J cannott refraync. 



My foes whiche love me nott 

Be vayle my deth J wott, 50 

And he that love me befle 

Hyme felfe my deth hath drefle ; 

What vnkyndnes fhuld kyle me 

Jf this ware nott my payne, 

Alas what remedy, 55 

That J cannott refreyne. 

My laft wyll here J make. 

To god my foule J be take. 

And my wrechyd body 

As erth in a hole to lye ; 60 

For vnkyndnes to kyle me. 

And putt me to this payne, 

Alas what remedy. 

That J cannot refreyne. 

O har^e 



96 ANCIENT SONGS. 

O harte J the bequyeth 65 

To hyme that is my deth, 

Yff that no harte haith he 

My harte his fchal be ; 

Thovght vnkyndnes haith kyllyd me^ 

And putt me to this payne^ j§ 

Yett yf my body dye 

My hertt cannott refrayne. 



Placebo, dilexi« 

Com weype this obfequye^ 

"My mowrmai^, dolfully, yj 

Com weype this pfalmody^ 

Of vnkyndnes haith kyllyd me, 

.And putt me to this payne. 

Behold this wrechid body, 

yt yor vnkyndnes haith flayne. to 

Now J be fych all ye 

Namely y* lovers be. 

My love my deth for gyve. 

And fofFer hyme to lyve ; 

Thought vnkyndnes haith kyllyd me, tj 

And putt me to this payne, 

Yett haid J rether dye 

For his fake ons agayne. 



My 



ANCIENT, SONGS. 97 

I 
I 

My tombe ytt fchalbe blewe, 

Jn tokyne that J was trewe ; 90 

To bringe my love from dovte, 

Jtt ihalbe wryttynge abowtte 

That vnkyndnes haith kyllyd me^ 

And putt me to this payne ; 

Behold this wrechtd body, 95 

That y®' vnkyndnes haith ilayne. . 

O lady lerne by me, 

Sley nott love wylfully. 

For fer love waxyth denty* 

Vndkyndnes to kyle me, too, 

Or putt love to this payne^ 

J ware the better dye 

For loves fake agayne. 

Grevus Js my foro. 

Butt d^h ya my boro» 10 j 

For to my felfe a lone 

Thus do J make my mone. 

That vnkyndnes kaith kyllyd flie. 

And pa^d is my payne. 

Prey for this ded body, 1 10 

Y^ y®' vnkyndnes haith flaysc* 



H V* UPON 



98 ANCIENT SONGS. 



V. 



UPON THE INCONSTANCY OF HIS 

MISTRESS. 

Fr»m a MS. of the early part cf Himy thi Stit tim*» 
Sibl. Uarl, N' zz^z. Lift unfinijhtd by tbi ctfjift. 

I 

MOrnyng, mornyng. 
Thus may J syngc, 
Adew my dere adew | 
Be god alone^ 

My love ys gon, % 

Now may J go feke a new. 



Nay, nay, no, no, 
I wys not Too, 

Leve of & do no more | 
For veraylye f • 

Sm wemen ther be. 

The whyche bcp« brotyll fiore* 

Ilovyd 



\ 



ANCIENT SONGS. 99 

I lovyd on, 
Kot long agon. 

On whom my harte was fett^ 15 

So dyd fhe me, 
Whye (huld J lye ? 

I can hyt not forgette. 

Hyr Ictt^s wyll prove 

She was my love, 29 

& fo I wyll hyr clayme, 
Thowghe my Sweteharte 
Be fro me starte. 

She ys the more to blame* 

Thowe my Swete harte 25 

Be fro me ftarte 

& changyd me for a new^ 
I am conteht^ 
Sc wyll aflente 

W hym p* hap«^ hyr now. 30 

For be faynte gyle, 
Se mary mylde. 

He ys a mynion man, 
Myche ppyr & good, 
Comyn of Jentyll blode, 3^ 

& myche good paftyme he can. 

1} 2 He 



ICO ANCIENT SONGS. 

He ys worthy 
Myche bett^ then J 

To base the lore of byr^ 
Therfor, fwete harte, 40 

Farwell my pte, 

Adewj Ibntymc my der e. 

For wboo wyll feke 
A mynyon eke 

In ynglond or in fraunce* 45 

• • # • 



VI. 



MANERLY MARGERY MILK AND ALE. 

By John Sktlton^ pott launmt ; ^wbo inmmrates it i» 
his •' Cronvne of Laivrell*' (Woris, 1736. /. J. 

It is prejer^ed in the Fairfax MS, nvith a mufical com* 
po/ttion in three purts, by ** WiHm Cornyjjh^ Junior ;" 
andt nvith another piece ^ fet hy the fame majhr, fuppofei 
fo be a fat ire againft the JrwUten Flemings *wko came over 
iJL'ith Ann pj ClcveSt iviU be found, wth the barmonjf 
in the modern method, in Sir John Hawkinses Hifiory of 
Muftc, IIL 3, lie. 

6 Tk 



ANCIENT SONGS. loi 

The reader is not to impute the groffnefi of/entimemt vi- 
Mi in the follotwing ballad to the peculiar profligacy of 
t author ; it *was the wee of the age : the love' letters 
' K. Henry Fill, to Anne Bulien contain exprejflons 
hich njuould be thought at prefent too ohfcenefor a com- 
m proftitute* The ladys anjhvers are not prejerved. 

AY be iherewe yow be my fay, ' 

This wantx>a clarkp be nyfe all way, 
A vent, a vent, my popagay. 
What will ye do no tbyng but play } 
Tally valy, ftrawe, let be J fay, ^ 

Gap criftian clowt, gup Jak of p^ vale^ . 
W^ man'ly m'^gery mylk & ale. 

Be god ye be a ^ty pode, 

U J loue yo" an hole cart lode, 

Strawe Jamys foder, ye play pe fodc, lo 

J am no hakney for yo' rode. 

Go watch a bole, yo^ bak is brode. 

Gup rriftian clowt, gup Jak of p^ vale, 

W manerly [m'gery mylk &ale], 

J wifT ye dele vncurtefly, i? 

What wolde ye frompill me ? now ^^. 

What & ye ihalbe my P^ggp nye. 

Be crift ye ihall not : no barddy 

J will not be Japed bodely. 

Gup criftian clowte, gup Jake of p^ vale^ ao 

W^ manerly margery [mylk U ale]* 

H 3 Walke 



102 ANCIENT SONGS. 

Walke forth yo^ way, ye coft me nought^ 

Now haue J fownd p' J haue fought, 

fe beft chcpc fleflh f cuyr J bought. 

Yet, for his loue p' all hath wrought, 2J 

Wed me, or els J dye for thought. 

Gup criilian clowte, yo' broth is ftale. 

Go manerly margery mylk 8c ale. 

Gup cridian clowte, gup Jak of p*^ vale, 

W man'ly majtgery [mylk & ale]. 30 



•»• Since Sir y. Ha^wkinses tran/cript ivas made^ 
the MS, appears to have received certain alterati§9s, cc- 
cafeonedt as it Jhouid feemt but certainly not author if ed^ h^ 
the onier-fcrupulous, delicacy of its late or preftnt poffeff^r. 



VII. 



AN AMOROUS STRUGGLE. 

ms little fketch from nature^ confidering the time it 
fwhich it muji ha^ve been ^luritten, has a merit not frC' 
quently found in contemporary produBions, The editor once 
f thought it might be afcribable to Skelton, nuhofe free man* 
ner it fome*what refembles. But a comparifon nuith the 
immediately preceding ballad ^ indifputably his, rendtrs that 
fuppofition exceedingly improbable. ' 

It 



ANCIENT SONGS. 103 

It is gi*viin from a folio njolume of mufical tompofitiont 

of Henry the eighths time (as it appears) in the editors 

P^JfeJpon, But the muficy nuhich is in part s^ andivithout 

the Uafi pretenjions to melody, ivas not thought *worth in* 

Jerting. 



BE jcs, ?e make me spille my ale. 
Now thyngke je this ys a fayre ray f 
Let go, y fay ; — ftrawe for jcure tale ; 

LeiF werke, a twenty a deaell a way : 
Wene je p^ eiiy body left to play ? 5 

A byde a while — what haue 5e hafte ? 

Y trow, for all jeure gret a fiay, 

^e will not make to huge a wafte. 

After a fay ; the may je wette ; 
Why blame je me w^ovte offence ? ip 

Y wiife wanton, je Ihull not fette — 
A, kan je that ? — nov gode go hens : 

What do je here, w^in ovre spence ? 
Recke ;e not to make vs (hende ? 

Y wulde not ?ette for furty pence 15 
My moder cam in or that fe wende* 

Cam kys me. Nay. be god ^e ihall. 

Be crifte y nelle. What fee the man I 
5c hert my legge a jcnfte the walle ; 

Ys this the gentery that fc can ? 10 

n 4 Take 



JO* ANCIENT SONGS. 

Take to fer alle, 8c be flille tllan— 
Now haue )e leyde me on the Acre, 

But hadde y wyfte when }e bygan 

Be cafte y wolde haue schytce the dore. 



t^ *' Such reader $ as home no relijh ftr pun aniiquity^ 
may he better pleafed <witb the followiug (apparent) al* 
teratioH of this old Song, from MS. SUam. fN^ ll^l)» 
by a band of Charles the firjls time, under the title of 



A MAIDES DENIAL. 

NAY pifli, nay pray, nay faith, & will you ? fie ! 
A gent, & ufe me thus ! Jn faith Jle cry. 
Oods body what a man's this ! nay fie for (hame ! 
Nay faith, away, nay fie ! in troth you are to blame. 
Harke ! fomebody comes, hands offe J pray, 5 

Jle pinch, Jle fcratch, ile fpurne, nay runne away. 
Jn faith you ftriue in vaine, you (hall not fpeed; 
You mare my ruHe, you hurt my back, my nofe will 
bleed. 

Looke how the doore is open, somebody sees ; 
What will they fay ? in faith you hurt my knees, !• 
Your buttons scratch, o what a quoile is here! 
You make mee fweat, in faith, here is goodly geare. 
Nay faith let me intreat / leaue, if you lift ; 
You hurt my head, * yon ' teare my smocko \ but had 
J wift 



ANCIENT SONGS- 105 

So much before, J would haue kept 70a out ; 15 

Jt 19 a proper thing you goe about.— ^ 

J did not think you would haue done me this^ 

Bat now J see J took my aime amiss. 

A little thing would make vs not bee freinds, 

Voa haue vfed mee well, J hope youle make amends. 

Hould &i\\, Jle wipe your face, you sweat amaine, 21 

Vou haue gott a goodly think with all this paine. 

O God how hot am J ! w^ will you drinke ? 

Jf you goe sweating downe, w* will they thinke i 

Remember s^ how you haoe vsed mee now, 25 

Doubt not ere long but J will meete with yoa« 

Jf any man but you had vfed mee so. 

Would J haue putt it upp ? in faith s^ no> 

Nay goe not yet, day here 8c supp with mee^ 

And then at cards wee better will agree. 50 



viir. 

DOWNE, BELLY, DOWNE. 

" The fallo'wingfongy* fays Sir John Hanjjkins, *' ap* 
pears to ha*ve been tvriitcn in the time of one of the 
Henries [fci. VIL and f^IIL], and feems to be a fruit left 
prayer, tending to a<vert the confequences of indubitabh 
pregnancy J*^ Hijiory of Mufic, III. l8, 

Thi 



V 



io6 ANCIENT SONGS. 

Tbi iniinUus author has been ftudiouilj careful f 
teal his authorities for the ancient poetry firft publifini 
the above tvork : a mode of proceeding luhich, as it a^ 
fumes a degree of confidence that no editor, be his ran, 
honour, and integtity nvhat they may, has a right to e: 
ai}^ cannot be too much dif countenanced. It is, ha/wfuer 
•nly fair to add, that this, as nuell as every other, fong 
mJopted on the credit of the learned hifiorian, carries evi 
dent intrinfc marks of its authenticity. 

WITH all the hart in my body. 
Now jentill belly doWne. 
And (hce was fore afrayd. 
And grieuoufly difmayedy 

With putting on byr gownc* j 

Hyr belly was fo grete, 
Hyr gowne was not fete. 
For forrow dyd (he fwete. 
And fange 

Downe, belly, downe, io 



Thys game gothe all amyfe ; 
I louid To well to kyflTe* 
1 thought it joy and blyfie 

To dmnce in euerv towne ; 
Bat a1a5 and well away 
lliAt ectr I Qtyd lacbc playr. 
Fee BOW wytSi toctoire may I fare 

DcwEc, bcUy, domic. 






\ 



ANCIENT SONGS. 107 

Euery morning eriy 

My Homake is all quafie ; ^ 20 

It hurtithe me 
Full greuoafely. 
With ficknes am ( bound : 

God and our blefTyd lady. 
And alfoe good king Henry 1^ 

Send me fome remedy 
Tp kepe my belly downe. 

Downe^ downe^ now jentll belly down^* 



IX. 
BEWARE MY LYTTYLL FYNGER. 

7he fifltnving dialogue ^ ^hich Sir y, Horwkins thinks 
Very ancient ^ and of 'which, he fays^ the Jimplicity is no 
fe/s remarkahle than the fly ie, is gi<uen from that authors 
Hiftory ofMufic^ Vol. II L p. 19, // is certainly as old 
US the ara of the frefent clafs. 

BEWARE my lyttyll fynger ; Syr I you 
defire. 
Ye wrynge my hand to fore, 
I pr;iy you do no more, 
Alas therefor. 

Ye hurt my lyttyll fynger. y 

»o Why 



|o8 ANCIENT SONGS. 

m 

Why fo do you fay ? 
Ye be a wanton may, 
I do but with you play. 

Beware my lyttyll fyngtr. 

Syr no more of fache fport^ lo 

For I have lyttyl comfort 
Of your hyther refort. 

To hart my lyttyll firnger. 

Forfoth goodly myfteris, 

I am fory for your difeas : 1 5 

Alack what may yon pleas ? 

Beware my lytyll fynger. 

Forfoth ye be to blame, 
I wis it will not frame, 

Yt ys to your grete fhamc 10 

To hurt my lyttyll fynger* 

Thys was agayn my wyll certayn. 
Yet wold I haue that hole agayo. 
For I am fory for your payn, ' 

Beware my lyttyll fynger, 2$ 

Seeing for the caufe ye be fory, 

I wold be glad wyth you for to mary. 

So that ye wold not ouerlongc tarry 

To helc my lyttyll fynger. 

I fay 



ANCIENT SONGS. 109 

I fay wyth a joyfull hart agayne, 30 

Of that I wold be full fayn. 

And for your jake to take fume payne 

To hele your lyttyll fynger. 



Then we be both agreed 

I pray you by our wedding wede, J5 

And then ye (hall haue lyttyll nede 

To hele my lyttyl fynger. 

That I will by Gods grace, ' 
I (ball kyile your minion face. 
That yt ihall fhyne in euery place, 49 

And hele your lyttyl fynger. 

Beware my lyttyll fynger, 
Alas my lyttyll fynger. 
And oh my lyttyll fynger. 
Ah itdy mercy) ye hart my lyttyll fynger. 4; 



Ci. 



X. DIALOGUE 



\ 



no ANCIENT SONGS. 



X. 



DIALOGUE BETWEEN TWO LOVJfiRS. 

•* 7« nvhichy^* Sir y. Hawkins ^ from nuhom it is given, 
gra^vely remarks, *' there is great Jtmplicity rf ftyh and/tU' 
timint, and a franknefs di/coverable on the lady* s part not 
^warranted by the manners of the prefent time.** 

[He] T\/r Y harts lull and all my plefure, 

J.yX Is geuen where I may not take it a- 

gayne. 

[She] Do you repent ? [He] Nay, I make you 
fure. 

[She] What is the caufe then you complayne ? 



[He] It plefyth my hart to (hew part of my payne. 5 
[She] To whom ? [He] To you. [She] Plcfe 
that wyl not me ; 

Be all thefe words to me^ they be in vayn, 
Complayn where you may haue remedy. 



[He] 



ANCIENT SONGS. iii 

le] I do complayn, and find no relefTe. 

[She] Yea, do you fo ? I pray you tell me how. 
ie] My lady lyft not my paynes to redrefle. 1 1 

[She] Say ye foth f [He] Yea, I make God a 
vowe. 

he] Who is your lady ? [He] I put cafe you. 

[She] Who I ? nay, be fare it is not fo. 
Ie] In fayth ye be. [She] Why do you fwerenow? 

[He] In good fayth I loue you and no mo. i6 

Ihe] No mo but me ? [He] No, fo fay I. 

[She] May I you truft ? [He] Yea, I make yoa 
fure. 

Ihe] I fere nay, [He] Yes, I fhall tell you why. 
[She] Tell on, lets here. [He] Ye haue my hart 
in cure. 20 

>he] Your hart ? nay. [He] Yes without mefurc. 

I do you loue. [She] I pray you fay not fo. 
HFe] In fayth I do. [She] May I of you be fure ? 

[He] Yea, in good fayth. [She] Then am I yours 
alio. 



XL IN 



I 



III ANCIENT SONGS. 



xr. 



iN PRAISE OF THE JOYFUL LIFE 
OF A BATCHELOR. 

Fiom Sir 'J. Ua'wkiuses HiJIory of Mmfic* 

THE bachelor moft joxfoHye^ 
Iti pleafant plight doth pafs his daieSf 
Good fellowfhipp and coropanid 

He doih maincaine and kcpe alwaie. 

With damfells braue he maye well goe, j 

The roaried man cannot doe fo. 

If he be merle and toy with any. 

His wife will frowne^ and words geue manye : 
Her yellow hofe (he flrait will put on^ 
So that the married man dare not difpleafe his wife 
Joane. lO 



XII. MY 



ANCIENT SONGS. 113 



XU. 

MY SWETE SWETING. 
Frtmtbt fctme Wark. 

AH, my fwete fwetyng ! 
My lytyl prcty fwetyng. 
My fwetyng wyl I loue wheraoer I go ; 

She is fo proper and pure. 
Fall ftedfaft, ftabill and demure, 5 

There is none fuch, ye may be fare. 
As my fwete fweting. / 

In all thys world, as thynketh inc» 
Is nohe fo plefaunt to my eye. 
That I am glad foo ofte to fee, 10 

As my fwete fwetyng. 

When I behold my fwetyng fwete. 
Her face, her hands, her minion fete. 
They feme to me there is none fo mete. 

At my fwete fwetyng, 15 

I Aboae 



tn ANCIENT SONGS. 

Aboue all other prayfe muft 1, 
And loue my pretty pygfnye. 
For none I fynd foo womanly 
As my fwete fwetyng. 



xni. 

A [LOVE] SONGE. 
Ffpm MS$. HarL 3562. 

MY Joye it i« from her to here 
Whom p' my mynd ys e«i to ke, 
Sc to my hart ihe ys mod nere« 
For I loue hur Sc (he lovyth me. 

Of detfty ncds J muft h or tove, 5 

W^*» hath my hart fo ft^ifaftly, 

Ther ys no payne may me convert. 

But ftyll to loue hur whyle Ihe lovyth me. 

Both lotxe for loue, 8c htact fot hart, 

W«»» hath my hart fo ftedfaftly, lo 

Therfore my hart fhall hot remove. 

For I looe hur $c flie lovyth ibo. 

Cbryft 



• 



ANCIENT SONGS. 115 

Chryfi; wolt the ffuger of har fwete face 
Were pyftored whtr ed I ' be % 
Ya eiiy hall, from place to place. 15 

For I loue hur 8c ihe lovyth me. 

Her copany doth me confort, 

Therfor in haft J wyll refortc. 

To yoye my harte w* play Sc {port. 

For I loae hur ic ihe lovyth me. ^ 



/\ 14. dwell. MS, 



XIV. 

SONG ON THE VICTORY OF FLODDON 

FIELD. 

^e battle of Floddon, in NorthumherlanJ, njuas fought 
ihe gth of September, 1 5 1 3 , being the fifth year of King 
Henry the Sth (nuho, wuith a great army^ *was then befon 
STerouen in France J betiveen Thomas Ho^ward ear! of Surry, 
commander in chief of the Englijh forces , and James the 
4/it, King of Scots, fwith an inferior army of 15000 men, 
nnho tvere entirely routed <with great JIaughter, and theism 
heroic ybvereign left dead upon the field* 

The relation of this fignal 'viSlory and defeat has been 
the fubjeSi of at much rejoicing <with the poets of England 

I 2 ttt 



ii6 ANCIENT SONGS. 

as of forrotv to tbofe of her fifter kingdom, N§ event 
in Engliflj hiftory has produced a greater number rf poetical 
effufions than the field of Floddon, 

In 1664 *was publifhed '* A metrical Hiftory of the 
Battle of Floddont^ the compofttion, as it is conjehured^ of 
fome North-country fchoolmajier in the time of j^ Eliza' 
beth. Tiio different editions of this old piece appeared in 
the year 1774' One in a fmall iimo. ijuitb the name of 
J. Benfon Philomath. The other ivas printed at Ber*wici, 
from an old MS. and attended luith a number of annota^ 
lions and hiftorical remarks y *with other interefting^ ^fffuU 
and curious communications ^ by the reverend Mr, Lambe^ 
'vicar of Norbam upon Tnveed. It ivas likcwife printed, 
though *very incorrectly ^ by old Gent of Tor k. jind there 
is a MS. copy of it in the Britijh Mufeum (Harl. Lib. 
3526;. 

In the abo've library are alfo the follotMing poems rela' 
ti've to this event, ' 

N° ^6y. beginning — 

** Notwe lette njs talke of the mount e ofFloden.** 

N' 293. " J Ballati of the Batalle of Flodene-feeld^^ 

(in praife of the Stanleys, and the men of LancA' 

fhire and CheJhireJ. 

N' 2252. beginning^^ 

*' As I lay mujing my felf alone. ^^ 

And in the fame number is that beginnings— 

" Rex Regum in thy Realme celeftial,'^ 

printed in The Mirror for Magi/lrates, ijohich, «witb ano" 
ther by Vlpian Ful'well, is inferted by Mr, Lambe in his 
Appendix, W yi and nil . p, 133, 153. 

Skelionj in his rude *way, exults *very much on the fuh* 
jeSl. See his nvorks, ed. i'j^6 p. , Lambes Appen^ 
dix, N^ni. p. 143. 

A defeat is ne'ver a favourite and rarely a fuccefsful 
topic of poetry. The Scotifh mufe muft honue^er on this 
occafion be allo*wed the bays» The beautiful and affeSling 

little 



ANCIENT SONGS. 117 

littlt ballad f m)bich appears to have been compo/ed imme* 
diatelj afitr the battle ^ beginning — 

*' Ive beard of a lilting ^^^ 

is as fweet and natural a piece of elegiac poetry as any 
language can boaft. 

l^bere is a MS, poem on the battle of Flouoden bill in 
the Advocates Library at Edinburgh ; but oftvhat nature 
or merit the editor had "not opportunity to difcomer^ 

The follo'wing ballad may pojfibly be as ancient as any 
thing nue ha*ve on the fubjeSi. It is gi<ven from '* Thi 
** mofi plea/ant and delectable hifiory of John Winchcomby 
** otherwife called Jack of Nenvberry,^* ^written by Tho- 
mas Deloney, tuho thus f peaks of it : 

** In dtf grace of the Scots, and in remembrance of the 
famous atchie'ved <vi^ory, the commons of England made 
this fong : nvhich to this day is not forgotten of 
many,** 

It *will not be contended, hoive'ver, that the ballad here 
printed exhibits the genuine Englijh of Henry the Sths time, 
Honefl Thomas, no doubt, like greater editors, had too re^ 
fated a tafte to prefer accuracy and fidelity to pleafing the 
eyes or tickling the ears of his readers. 

This Author is mentioned by Kempe (Nine Days Wonder » 
1600. /^o,) as •* the great ballade maker T, D, or Tho* 
mas Deloney, chronicler of the memorable Lives of the Six 
Yeomen of the Weft , Jack of Newbrry, The Gentle 
Craft f and fuch like honeft men, omitted by Stonue, HoU 
linfied, Grafton, Hall, Froiffart, and the reft of thofe 
mtell^deferuing vur iters** IVarton^ Hift Eng. Poet. Hi. 
430. He had fatirifed Kempe in ivhat he calls " abho^ 
miuable ballets,** War ton Jays, that Jack of Neuobury 
nuas entered in the Stationers book to T Myllington, Mar. 
7, 1596 ; and the Gentle Craft to Ralph Blore, OQ. 19, 

^597- 

Deloney vaas, in 1 596, committed to the Counter by the 

Lord Mayor for ridiculing the ^een and book of orders 

e^ut the deeurtb of corn in one. of bit ballads. 

I3 THE 



iiS ANCIENT SONGS. 



THE SONG. 

KING Jamie hath made a row. 
Keep it well if he mzy. 
That he will be at lovely London, 
Upon Saint James hb day. 

Upon Saint James hu day at noon j 

At fair London will I be ; 
And all the lords in merry Scotland, 

They dull dine there with me. 

Then befpake good Queen Margaret, 

The tears fell torn her eyt, lo 

Leave off thefe wars moil noble King, 
Keep your fidelity. 

The water runs fwift 8c wonderous deep 

From bottom unto the brim ; 
My brother Henry hath men good enough. 15 

England is hard to win. 

Away (quoth he) with this filly fool. 

In prifon fad let her lye ; 
For ihe is come of the Englifli blood. 

And for thefe words ihe ihall die. 10 

That 



AN'CtfeNT SONGS. 119 

TKat i^y made many a fatherleft drifj^ 

And mkhy a widow poor ^ 
And maAy a Scottifh gay lady 

Sate weeping in Ber bower. 

^ith tBat befpa^e L. Thomas Howard, sj. 

The queens chamberlain that day^ 
If that you put Q^ Margaret to death^ 

Scotland (hall rue it alway. 

Then in a rage King Jamie did fay^ 

Away with this foolifh mome ; 30 

He (hall be hang'd, and the other barn*d» 

So Toon as I come home. 

At Flodden-field the Scots came in» 

Whicb made our EngliOr men fain ; 

At Bramdone-green this battel vrzs feen, . 5J 
There was King Jamie Haln. 

Then prefently the Scots did fiy. 

Their cannons they left behind ; 

Their enfigns gay were won all away^ 

Our fouldiers did beat them blind. 411^ 



y, 24. fWeepms* 



U T. 



lap ANCIENT SONGS. 

To tell you plain^ twclre diou£uid were IUib, 

That to the fight did Ikznd ; 
And many a pti&mcr took that daj. 

The beft in all Scotland. 



Jack with a fether was lapt all in lether, 4; 

Hb boaflings were all in Tain ; 
He had fnch a chance with new morrice dance^ 

He never went home again. 



XV. 



O DEATH, ROCKE ME ON SLEPE. 

^he followinft foim^ Sir John Hawkins tilb ms, mf* 
ftars hy tbi MS. ff9m *wbicb it 'was taken ^ to bws hten 
€ompofed about tbe time of Henry Fill. It and anotber, 
nvbicb be bas printed, ivere communicated to him iy ** a 
ntery judicious antiquary lately decea/ed^ *' nubofe opinion 
•f tbem nvaSf tbat tbey nuere 'written either hy^ or in the 
per/on of Anne Boleyn ; a couje3ure^ be adds, 'which her 
unfortunate bifiory renders 'very probable. It is^ ho'we'ver, 
but a conjeSlure : any other flate^prijoner of tbat period 
hetving an equal claim* George vijcount Rocbford, brother 
io tbe above lady, and fwbo fuffered on her account, ** hatb 
the fame,** according to Wood, *' of being tbe author of 
ffveral poems, fongs, andfonnets, fwitb other things of the 
like nature ;" and to him tbi prefetU editor is 'willing to 
reftr thi enfusng flantias. 



O Death 



> 




ANCIENT SONGS. lai 



O Death, rocke me on ilepe, 
Bringe me on quiecrefte. 
Let paiTe my aerye gildefs gofte. 

Out of my carefull bred ; 
Toll on the pa0inge bell, 5 

Ringe out the dolefull knell, 
Liet the foonde my dethe tell^ 

For I mud dye. 

There is no remedy. 

For now I dye. 10 

My paynes who can expres ? 

Alas ! they are (o llronge. 
My dolor will not fuiFer ilrength 

My lyfe for to piolonge ; 
Toll on the paflinge bell, 15 

Ringe out the dolefull knell. 
Let the found my dethe tell. 

For I muft dye. 

There is no remedye. 

For now I dye. 20 

Alone in prifon (Ironge, 

I wayle my deilcnye ; 
Wo worth this cruel hap that I 

Should tafte this miierye. 

Tell 



122 ANCIENT SONGS. 

Toll on the paifinge bell^ 15 

RiDge out the doleful knell. 
Let the founde my dcthe tell» 

For I muft dye. 

There is no remedy. 

For now I dye. 30 



Farewell my pleafares paft, 

Wclcum my prefent payne, 
I fele my torments fo increfe. 

That lyfe cannot remayne. 
Ccafc now the paffing bell, 35 

Rong is my doleful knell. 
For the found my deth doth tell, 

Deth doth draw nye, 

Sound my end dolefully. 

For now I dye. 4^ 



xvr. 

BESS, FORSAKEN, MAKETH COMPLAINT. 

From the editors folio MS. The mujic it a compojitif^ 
in three farts , aiubich it was not thought necejfary /* '*' 
Jert. 

J' 



^ 



ANCIENT SONGS. 123 



JN wyldernes 
Ther* found y beffc. 
Secret alone, 
Jn grete dyftres, 
Remedyles, 

Makyg her moone. 



Alasy ihe feyd, 

Y was a mayde. 

As other be. 
And at a brayd 10 

Y was a frayd. 

Right pytcufly. 

A wanton chyld 
Spake wordp myld 

To me alone, IJ 

& me begylyd, 
Goten w^ child, 

& now ys gon« 

Now h' ys fo, 

Lefe of my woe, 20 

W^ gode devyfc. 
And let hy goo, 
W forow allfo, 

& play the wyfe. 

Now 



124 ANCIENT SONGS. 

Now may J wjnd 
W*ouic a firynd, 

W« hcrt on fayn*, 
Jn fcrrc c t r* 
Men wene J be 

A mayde agayn. 

This yoang men fay^ 
Yn {portic p]ay. 

Go wach a byrde ; 
Men telly th yn cown% 
When clothit be downe. 

The fmock ys hyd. 

J ca not kepe. 
But foor* y wepe, 

ic all for oon' ; 
So fr' my hert 
Shall he not ftert» 

Thof he be gon. 

Alas p< he 

Has th' lefte me 

My fylf alone, 
Jn wyld^nesy 
Rcmedyles, 

Makyg my moo*. 



XVII. f 



ANCIENT SONGS. 115 



XVII. 

« A CAROLL BRINGYNG IN THE BORES 

HEED. 

'Priniid from that eminent and excellent antiquary 
Thomas Hearnes " Notac & Spicilegium " to H^illiam of 
}few borough (IIL 7^S*J> 'w^^''^ '^ '' ^hus introduced :^ 
'* / *will peg leave here to give an exaSi copy of the Cbrift^ 
nafs Carol upon the Boards Head (twhicb is an ancient 
Dijbf and ijoas brought up by K, Henry * //.' with Trum^ 
Uts before bis Son ivhen his f aid Son tvas cronuned [Hoi" 
\fnjhed'*s Chron, FoL IIL p. 7 6.1 J as I have it in an 
)ld Fragment (for I ufually preferve even Fragments of 
fid books) of the Ghriftmafs Carols printed by JVynkyn de 
Worde^ , • • » by vjhich it ivill be perceived hovo much the 
fame Carol is altered as it isfung infome places even novs 
from ivhat it *was at firft. It is the lafi Things itfeems^ 
rfthe Book (vjhich I never yet favj intire) and at the fame 
time I think it proper alfo to add the Printer* s Couclu/ion^ 
for this reafon, at leaftt that fuch as lorite about our fifl 
Printers may have fame notice of the Date of this Book, 
and the exaS Place vshere printed, provided they cannot 
he able to meet vjith it, as I believe they ay/7/ fnd it 
Pretty difficult to do, it being much laid afide about the 
time that fome of David^s P J alms came to be ufed in it's 
9ead.'' 

The Colophon runs thus : C (3rftit!^ ent^ctl) tlie ^fjrifftnafTe 
raroHeif / ne\oel? enpiinteti at Tlonbo / in V^z fletethete at t\^t 
^POne of tbe fonne tji )Dpn)i9ti tie IDorO^ (C||e pere of our 
lorOt. iili!t.^.^pt. 

Bj 



126 ANCIENT SONGS. 

By tbt 'words " fome places even nenu '* bt/eims u J* 
lude to ^eens Coi/ege, Oxford, 'where this antique cere* 
monj is ft ill ob/erfved ; 'with this confiderabU imfro'uemtatf 
dttdeed, that the Boars head is neatly car'ved in fwood. 

The book of Pfalms abonje referred to is in a note thus 
defer i bed, " Certaine of Da'vid*s Pfalmes intended fer 
Chriftmas Carolls fitted to the moft common but folemfnt 
Tunes, e<very ^where familiarly ufed : By IVilliam Slaty tr. 
Printed by Robert Toung 1 630. 8*." 

The ancient ereft of the family of Edgcumbg t»as the 
Boars head, cro^wned nuith bays, upon a charger ; lubicb 
has been fvery injudiciously changed into the eniire omI' 
ma/. 



€ r^APVT apri differs 

Reddens ' laudes ' domino* 



C The bores heed in hand bring I 
With garlans gay and rofemary 
I pray you all fynge merely $ 

^i eft is in conuiuio, 

m The bores heed I vnderftande 
Is the * chefe ' fcruyce in this lande 
Loke where euer it be fande 

Seruite cum cantico* i^ 



/'. I. rliflfcro] Sic pre dcfcro. 
y. 2. laudeiis, 
/". S, thefc. 



I 



12 



€ Be 



ANCIENT SONGS. i%j 

^ Be gladde lordes bothe more and lafTe 
For this hath ordeyned our itewarde 
To chere yoa all this ChriftmafTe 
The bores heed with muftarde. 



xvni. 

IN DIE NATIVITATIS. 

rhis, and the follo'wing ancient Chrifimas Carols, an 
'«f, merely as curtojities^ from the editors folio MS, 
ere each is accompanied ivitb a mujical compojition for 
H voices ; but nvhicb, neither in point of merit nor 
iquity^ Jeems to defemje, inhat the editor once intended 
a place in this nvori. 

VoHA^elf Nowel (the old French name for Chriftmas)^ 
s the ttfual burden to this fort of things, Matty in* 
ices offwhich may be found in N' z^gy Bib, Sloan • 



N 



Owell, nowell, nowell, nowell, 
Tydyng^ gode y thyiigke to telle. 



The borys hede that we bryng here 
Be tokeneth a p*nce with owte pcre, 
Ys born* this day to bye v' dere, 

Nowell. 



A bore 



128 ANCIENT SONGS. 

A bore ys a fouerayn befte. 

And acceptab[l]e in euy fefte. 

So mote thys lord be to mofle Sc lefle. 

No well. 

This borys hede we bryng w^ kng, 

Jn worchyp of hym that thus fprang» 10 

Of a virgync toredrcffe all wrong, 

Nowell. 



XIX. 
IN DIE NATIVITATIS- 



N 



Owellj nowell, nowell, nowell. 
Who ys p^ p* syngyt fo nowell, nowell ? 



I am here, fyre cryftp mafle. 
Well come my lord f. c'ft^ maflc. 
Welcome to vs bop*^ mor & lafle, $ 

Com ner nowell. 



Dcu vo^ garde, be we f. tydygp y jou bryg, 
A maydc hath born a chylde full fone. 
The wechc caufcth ?cw to fyng, 

Nowclh 



Crlft« 



ANCIENT SONGS. 

Crifie ii now bom of a pare mayde, 
Jn an oxe &Mi he ys layde, 
Wher* for syng we alle atte abrayde, 
Nowcll, 

Bevvx bien par tutte la company. 
Make godc chcre & be ryght mery. 
And (yng w' va now loyfully, 

Nowell. 





CLASS IV. 

Comprehending the Reigns of Edward VI- 
Mary, and Elizabeth. 



TYE THE MARE, TOM BOY. 

Till •very eld and once "vtry favauritt and faftda. 
fing it givtn fram a MS. celitSian of Old Songt, He 
/iraur/y uftd in and akcut iht bipoprie if Durham, foml 
limi till property of Mi: Jamli Mickhtsn, and «bto in th 
liarliian library (N° j^jSJ. ^hi mufic. by " Reiar 
Jehnfen," a lutll knoiun tempefir of Hinry tbi Slit limt 
it only a Jingle tart, but if complete tuould /earetlf bav 
been proper la be injerted her*, being a esHlinvd barmen 
frem the beginning to the end, 

7'be ftlhviing fong it farlicularfy alluded ta in lb 

" pnjing mtrrit InUriudt" of" Tim Jjieri emd kit ttyfe" 

frj 



ANCIENTSONGS. 131 

sprinted in 1578^ jind in Ameses Typographical Anti- 
ties (p. 508 J is ** A ballet, declaringe the faleftbi 
weifBahylotu, intituled ^ Tye thy mare Tom-boy e, 6fr.'* 
ich^ though for 'what reafon dfies not appear^ he has 
witmdtr theyear i^^y, 

TY the -mare, torn boy, ty the mare, torn 
boye. 
Left fhe ftray from the a waye. 
Now ty the mare, torn boye. 

TJie mare is fo mynyone. 

So fmoth & fo fmikere, 5 

Y' in myne apynion 

There is nott a trykerc 
From hence to Avynion, 

Yf ihe ware nott a kyckere, 
Att ned by fentt nynyon, 10 

J knowe nott a quycker. 

Now ty the mar, tom boy, isTf, 

Cyll now to name here, 

A mare of good mold. 
She wold be mayd tamere, 

YfF tamer whoo could ; 15 

Here dame was a framer. 

To ryd here who (huld. 
No labur could lame here. 

To gallape whill they wolde. 

Now ty the mare, tom boy, Jfff . 

K 2 Becaufc 



132 ANCIENT SONGS. 

Becaufe thou doft lyke her, 20 

& lyd nott to chang her, 
I wold (he were meker, 

& be no more a ranger ; 
But ihe is a ilriker, 

& ther in here danger, 35 

For hym y* (hall kepe -her 

At Racke & att manger. 

Now ty the mare^ torn boy^ (ffr. 

At larg yf thou lett her 

Than feke & can nott fynd her, 
Yett wer yo^ much bett^ 50 

In tramells to bynd here ; 
A loock & a fetter 

Before & behynd her. 
At lyver to fett here, 
Wher yo" lyft to afyne her. 45 

Now ty the mare, torn boy, Wr. 

The trimer thou tyuer her. 

To (how her a Itarrer, 
The mo will defyer her, 

& therfor beware her f 
For whoo y* may hyer her 5® 

To ryd will nott fpar her. 
But no man can tyer her, 

Whill towe leggs may bear her. 

Ty the mare, torn boy. 

Yf 



,ANCIENT SONGS. 133 

Yf hunger dyfeafc her. 

Than muft thou be watching, 5^ 

With hard meatt to pleas her, 

y ihe may be catchyng, 
A morfell to daffe her, 

Ther at to be fnaching. 
Such baytt ihall apeafe her, 60 

Yf thou mayk no patching. 

Now ty the mar, torn boy, {sTc. 

To glofle or to glavere, 

J will for no medyng. 
But yffe yd* wilt haue her 

All tymes at thy nedyng, 65 

Lett her nott tayk faver 

At others mens fedyng. 
For then will they crave her 

Becaufe of her bredyng. 

Now ty the mar, torn boy, i^c. 

A fooll of y' fylly* 70 

Y^ ware lyk her mother. 
From feland to fylly 

Ware nott fuch a nother : 
No more of her will J 

Speake one word nor other, ^^ 

But make much of gylly» 

J pray the tom brother. 

Nowe tye the mar, tom boy, i^c. 

K 3 n. IN 




IJ4 AKCIEKT SOKGS. 



II. 



IN DISPRAISE OF WOMEN. 

Fr^m the fame MS, ff'here it is mtftmded nrnth mafcd 
w/«, tui as ** ther laketh all the Mber pmrts** tbejt trt 
n^t €9pyed, Jt the end is, £015 q. m^ heath; Ina vte- 
ther he were author, 9r ccmf^fer, «r h§tb, 9r aeiiherf ** 
esJtpgether uncertain. 



H 



EV downe downe downe, lie* 



Thefc women &11« 
Both great and fmall, 

Ar waveryng to and fro. 
Now her now ther, 5 

Now every wher. 

But J will nott fay fo. 

They love to rang, 

Ther mynds doth chaunge. 

And males ther frynds ther foo; i^ 

As lovers trcwc 
Kchc (laye they chewfe new. 

But J will nott fay fo. 

The/ 



ANCIENT SONGS. 135 

They laoghe, they fmylle. 

They do bcgylc, 15 

As dyce y^ men doth throwe ; 
Who vfeth them much 
Shall neu be ryche. 

But I will nott fay to. 

Syng dedell, dedell^ heygh howe. 



Sume hot CH cold, 20 

Ther is no hold. 

But as the wynd doth blowe ; 
When all is done. 
They chaung like the moone. 

But J will nott fay fo. 25 

So thus one and other 
Takith after ther mother. 

As cooke by kind doth crowe. 
My fong is ended. 
The beile may be amended, 39 

But J will nott fay fo. 

J will recant, 

Becaufe women be fkant, 

J will fing placebo. 

Ho is ther ? ho ! ' 3^ 

K 4 ' ' Maftrii 



136 



ANCIENT SONGS. 



Maftris Joane 

Is nott alone. 

As many fethers in a coake^ 

So many fhrows in a flock, 

Syng dedell, dedell, heygh h&ne, 
Syng heygh howc, heye downe* 



III. 



FYLL THE FOOT MAYD. 
From the fame MS, 




^ 



I] 



^ 



F 



YLL the poott mayd, fyll the poott when 






i 



lA O ' 



^ 



i 



?=^ 



ye be prayd ; go fyll the poot mayd : wafhe clean 



the 






ANCIENT SONGS. 



»37 



m 



! Tf t f t 



^ 



the cuppe, and mayke a toofle, and when the 



■■ y n 'f !-"'"'^ ''M ? 



fyere the tooil dooth rofte, then to the tappe the 






next wayc cooft, and fyll the poot mayd. 



IV. 



CAPTAIN CAR. 

T'ife elegant editor of the Reliques of Ancient Englijh 
Poetry has inferted in that colleSiion a Scotijh ballad, en» 
titled ** Edom 0^ Gordon,** printed at Glafgonu i» 1755 ; 
hut ** improved, and enlarged nuith fenjeral fine ftanxas^ 
recovered frojfi a fragment of the fame ballad in * his * 
folio MS,*' and bj him ** clothed in the Bcotijh orthogra* 
phy and idiom** Of the ballad to 'which the above frag' 
ment af pears t9 have belonged, the reader is here prefented 

4 luitb 



138 ANCIENT SONGS. 

nviib an entire ancient copj^ the undoubted original of 
Scotijb ballad t and one cf the feiu fpecimeus no*w g» 
of the genuine proper Old Englijh Ballad, as eompo/i 
not by a Grub-Jlreet author for the ft alls of London, bi 
to he chanted up and drnun the kingdom by the nuando 
Minftrels of *' the North Count rie.*' This curiofii 
frefernted in a m'lfcellaneous colleStion in the Cotton Libr 
marked Vefpafan, A. xx'v. At the top of the orig 
Jlands the 'word ]\i\x% (Jefus), and at the end is Fin 
me Willm Afheton Clcricu : the name and quality, 
may fuppofe, of the original author. The MS, ha^ 
receinjed numerous alterations or correSions, all or moj 
nvbich are e'vidently for the better ^ they are here adi 
as part of the text, but the original readings are nevet 
lefs retained in the margin. 

The Hiftorical Fail luhich ga^ve occafion to, and f 
thefubjed of, the folloiving ballad, and luhich happ 
.in the year 1 57 1, may be found both in Archbifljop 5; 
•woods Hiftory (an extract of nvhich is given in the t 
editions of Percy), and in Cra^wford of Drum/cys 
moirs. 

Dr. Percy is of opinion ^ that '* from the differem 
ties of this ballad the oldftrolling bards or minftrels \ 
no fcruple of changing the names of the perfonages the^ 
troduced, to humour the hearers,** Jffuch a pra^ice 
did exifl, it is fuery certain that the prefent ballad aj^ 
no inftance of it, as in faSi Car (or, according t(> 
Scott ft? orthography , Ker) nuas actually fent ^with « / 
by Sir Adam Gordon, nvho commanded for the ^ 
as deputy to his brother the earl of Huntley, to fummo\ 
eaftle of Tonvy or Ta^voy (here called Crecrynbrogbe ) ^ 
longing to Alexander Forbes (here called the lord Hi 
ton), and n.vhich, inftead of furrendering, *was refoi 
defended by his lady^ njuho ga*ve Car njery injurious 
gttage. No'w though it does not appear that his barb 
'—for he actually fet fire to the eaftle, and burnt th 
the lady and her njohole family, to the amount in a 
thirty-feven perfons — Uijas autborifed (if indeed it 



^ 



ANCIENT SONGS. 139 

tave been authorifed) hy any previous orders ^ yet at b$ 
njoas never called to any account for it, the infamy of tbi 
tranfaSion naturally extended to Gordon ^ *who from th9 
fuperiority of bis fat ion might e'ven he confidered as tb$ 
greater criminal ; and as he ivas, at the fame time, bitter 
knofiun, bis name nuas not improperly fubftituted by tbi 
Scotijh Minftrels for that of his fubordinate officer. 

JT befell at martynmas. 
When wether waxed colde, 
Captaine care faide to his me 
We mufl go take a holde. 
Syck, fike & totowe (ike, j 

& iicke & like to die ; 
The fikeft nighte that eu J abode, 
God lord haue mcy on me ! 

Haille m & wether you will, 

& wether ye like it bed. !• 

To the caftle of Crecrynbroghc, 

& there we will take o^ refte. 

Sycke, ficke, et c. 

J knowe wher is a gay caftle. 

Is build of lyme & ftone, ij 

W^^in their is a gay ladie. 

Her lord is ryd froyjjn hom. 

Sicke, fick, et c. 

V. 14. J knowe a gay caftle. 

V, 15. buildcd. 

V, \']% riden U gone. 

The 



140 ANCIENT SONGS. 

The ladie lend on her caflle walle. 

She loked vpp and downe, ^s 

There was ihe ware of an hofk of me 

Come riding to y^ towne. 

Sycke, et c. 

Com yow hether my merime all, 

& look what J do fee, 25 

Yonder Js ther an hofl of me, 

J mufen who they bee. 

Sick, ec c. 

She thought he had been her own wed lord 
Y^ had comd riding home ; 39 

Then was it trait^ captaine care. 
The lord of efler towne. 
Sick, et c. 

They were no fon at fupper fett. 

Then after faid the grace, 35 

Or captaine care & all his men 

Wer lighte aboute the place. 

Sicke, et c. 



y. 19. She lend. 

f^. 24. Sc yow my merime all* 

^.25. & fe yow what J fee. 

y. 26. Yonder J fee an hofl of mc. 

y, 29. her wed lord, 

y, 30. As he come. 

Gyue 



ANCIENT SONGS. 141 

1 

Gyae ou thi howfle thou lady gay, "* 

& J will make the a bande> 40 

To nighte thoufl ly w*in my armes. 
To morrowe thou ihall ere my lande. 
Sick, et [c]. 



The befpacke the eldeft Tonne, 

That was both whitt & redde^ 45 

O mother dere geue ou y howfTe, 

Or ellp we fhalbe deade. 

Sicke, etc. 

J will not geue od my hous, ihe faithe. 

Not for feare of my lyffe, 50 

It flialbe talked throughout y^ land 

The ilaughter of a wyfFe, 

Sicke^ et c. 

Fetche me my peftilett, 

& charge me my gonne, 55 

That J may fhott at * the ' bloddy butcher. 

The lord of eafter townc. 

Sicke, et c. 



V, 41. thou (haH ly io« 
V. 50. For feare. . 
^.51. throughout y« world. 
y. 56. at he prowde. 



She 



142 ANCIENT SONGS. 

She fly fly flod on her caflle wall, 
& lecc the pellcttp flee. 
She myfl the blody bucher, 
& Hew other three. 
[Sicke, et c] 

J will not gene ou my hous, ihe faithej 
Netheir for lord nor lowne. 
Nor yet for traito^ captaine care. 
The lord of EaAer tovvnc. 
Sicke, et c. 



J defire of captine care, 

& all his bloddye band, 

Y* he would fauc my eldcfl fonne, 

y** eare of all my lande. 

Sicke, [et] c. 

Lap him in a (hcte, he fayth, 

& let him downc to mc, 

Sc J ihall take him in my armes. 

His waran wyll J be, 

Sicke, [et] c. 



y. 59. StjHy vpon her wall ihe flodde. 
y. (>j» But tluMi fhc myft. 
y. 62. A; fl.c fli w. 

y. 76. fluii J be. 



ANCIENT SONGS. 143 

The captayne fayd vnto him felfe, 

W'^ fped before y^ reft — > 

He cut his tonge out of his head, go 

His hart out of his breft. 

Sicke, [et] c. 

He lapt them in a handkerchef, 

& knet it of knot/? three, 

Sc call them ouer y^ caftell wall, 85 

At y* gay ladye, 

Sicke, [et] c. 

Fye vpon y*^ Captayne care, 

& all thy bloddy band. 

For y^ haft flayne my eldeft fonne, 90 

Y« ayre of all my land. 

Sicke, [et] c. 

Then befpake y* yongeft fonn, 

Y' fat on y* nurfes knee, 

Sayth mother gay geue ouer your houfe, 95 

It fmoldereth me. 

Sicke, [et] c. 

J wold geue my golde, flie faith, 

& fo I wolde mv fFce, 

For a blafte of y^ wcfteyn wind 100 

To dryue the fmoke from thee. 

Sicke, et c. 

V. 85. caft it. 

3 ^1 



144 ANCIENT SONGS. 

Fy vpo y* John Hamleton, 

That eu J paid the hyre. 

For y" hall broken my caiUe wall, i oj 

& kyndled in thee ffyre. 

Sicke, et c. 

The lady gate to her clofe jiler. 

The fire fell aboute her heiid. 

She toke vp her childre thre, 1 10 

Seth babp we are all dead. 

Sicke^ et c. 

Then befpake y« hye (leward, 

Y^ is of hye degree, 

Saith ladie gay you are no ' bote' MS 

Wether ye fighte or flee. 

[Sicke, et c] 

Lord Hamleto dremd in his dreame. 

In caruall where he laye. 

His halle were all of fyre. 

His ladie flaync or daye. i*^ 

[Sicke, et c] 

Buflc & bowne my mery mc all. 

Eve & go ye with me. 

For J * dremd ' y' my hall was on fyrc. 

My lady flayne or day, 

■Sick, et c. 1%^ 



ANCIENT SONGS. f« 

He bufkt him and bownd hym^ 
Sc like a worthi knighte, 
& when he faw his hall burnig. 
His harte was no dele lighte. 
[Sick, etc.] 

He fett a trupett till his mouth> 1 30 

He blew as it plefd his grace> 
Twety fcore of haletons 
Was light aboute the place. 
[Sick, etc.] 

Had J knowne afmuch yefternighte 

As J do to daye, 135 

Captaine care & all his me 

Should not haue gone fo ^oUe awMji. 

[Sick, et c] 

Fye vpon the captaine care. 

And all thy blody ' bande,' 

Thou hade (layne my lady gaye, 140 

Mox'e w^'^ the all thy lande. 

[Sick, ct c] 

Yf / had ought eny ill will, he faith. 

Thou (houlde haue taken my lySe, 

& haue faved my children thre« 

All 8c my louefomc wyffe. 145 

[Sick, etc.] 



y, 132* hilentoDs. MS* 
y. 139. baxdx/' AfS* 



V. AMERY 



I 



146 ANCIENT SONGS. 



y. 



A MERY BALLET OF THE HATHORNE TllE, 

^-— *' T§ hi fimge aft Doukiu Darge/m,** frfm iU 
fame MS, This Yitne, wbattHfir it nvas, mffemrt H htm 
hetn in uft till aftir tbi Reftoration, In a vf/anv rf $id 
hallads iu tbi pijjfiffion of Jobn Btynts^ iffi is §Mi ** ti 
tbi ttmi of Dariefon *\ 

JT was a naide of my countre. 
As (he came by a hachorne ere. 
At full of flowers as might be feen, 
Se niveld to fe the tre fo grene. 

At laft flie aiked of this tre» 
Hpwe came this frefhnes vnto the. 
And every branche fo faire 8e cleanc i 
I nivaile y' you growe fo grene. 

The tre maid anfwere by and by, 

I have good cauiFe to growe triumphantly^ l 

The fweteil dew y' ev^ be fene 

Doth fall on me to kepe me grene. 




\ 



ANCIENT SONGS. 247 

Yea, quoth 7^ maid, bnt where yoa growCj 
Yoa ftande at hande for every blowe. 
Of every man for to be (een, Ij 

J mvaile y< yoa growe fo grene. 

Though many one take flowers fro me» 

& manye a branche out of my tre, 

J have fuche ftore they wyll not be fene. 

For more 8c more my twedgp growe grene. im 

But howe and they chaonce to cut the dowiie» 
And carry thie braunches into the towne f 
Then will they never no more be Cene, 
To growe againe fo freihe & grene. 

Thoughe that you do» yt ys no boote« 2$ 

Althottghe they cut me to the roote^ 

Kext yere againe J will be fene 

To bude my branches freflie and grene. 

And you faire maide canne not do fo« 

for y f you let your maidhode goe, 30 

Then will yt never no more be fene. 

As J with my braUnches can growe grene* 

The maide w^'^ that begane to blnihe. 

And turned her from the hathorne buflie> 

She though[t]e her felffe fo faire & clene, 35 

Her bewtie fiyU would ever growe grcne« 

L a WfAn 



148 ANCIENT SONGS. 

' Whan that {he harde this marvelous dowbte. 
She wandered ftyll then all aboute, 
Snfpeding'ilill wha( ihe would wene. 
Her maid heade lofte would never be feen. 40 

W^ many a fighe ihe went her waye. 
To fe howe ihe maide her felfF fo gay. 
To walke, to fe, and to be fene. 
And fo out faced the hathorne grene. 



Befides all that^ yt put her in feare« 

To talke with companye anye where. 

For feare to lofle the thinge that ihuld be fene 

To growe as were the hathorne grene. 

But aftf this never J could here 
Of this faire mayden any where^ 
That ever ihe was in foreft iene. 
To talke againe of the hathorne grene. 



VI. A BALLET. 



ANCIENT SONGS* 149 



vr. 

A BALLET. 

From the /ami MS. 

THE man ys bleft that lyvet in relit 
And fo can keepe hym ftylle^ 
And he is ' accurfte * that was the firft 
That gave hys wyff her wyll. 

What paine & greff w'**out relieff j 

Shall we pore men fullayne 

YflF every gyle (hall have her wylc, 

& ov^ vs (hall relgne ! 

Then all o* wyves daring y lyvc» 

Wyll loke to do the fame, ^O 

And beare in hande yt ys as lande 

That goech not from the name. 

There ys no man whofe wyfdome canne ^ 

Reforme a wylfull wyff. 

But onely god who maide the rod 15 

For oT vnthryfty lyffc. 

V. 3« a corufte* 

L 3 Ut 



Let VI tberefor ciye owe k tort. 
And make to god reqaeft. 
That he redrefle this wilfulnes. 
And fet o^ hartp at reft. 

Wherefor good wyves, amende yonre lyvei. 
And we wyll do the fame, 
& kepe not tfyle that nought ye wyk 
ThAt baith fo evell a name. 



VII. 
A S O N G E, 

TO THI TUNE OF LABUNDULA SHOTT^ 
MAOB BY MR. CBORGB M A N N I N G TOM NI, 

Im Eaftward hoe, fy J^i^fin^ Cbafrntm^ mni Mmfim^ 

?mckfihiir' tbt apprtntice is imtfdmad ms a prifimir im tiki 
•mutir^ tMdimgj9wu 'vtrfts, *whieb hi calls his Repen* 
tance ; be thtm fays. 

Quick. I«writ it *wbiH my jpirits nntn §pprtfi*d^ 
Si, Petro. jiy^ Pil hi /wwn fir y—^ Frmmeis* 
Quick. It is im imsitatiim if Mannington't ; hi thmt 
mms hmmg*dmt CMiiridgi, tkat tut cjftbi bir/t's himd mi 

Friend* 



ANCIENT SONGS 151 

Friend. So, Ssr* 

Quick. To the tune 9/, I wail in woe, I plunge in 

pain. 
Jftir repeating feme of bis poem, he proeeedt in this 

Manner. 

Quick. Thisjtanza now following alludes to the ftory 
•f Mannington^ from whence / took my projeQ for my 
indention. 

Friend. P toy you go on. Sir. 

Quick. O Manningcon, thy ftoriesjhew. 
Thou cut t"" ft a hor/e head off at a blow ; 
But I confefs I have not the force. 
For to cut off the head of a horfe, 
let I defire this grace to nuin^ 
That I may cut off the horfe head of fin : 
And leave his body in the duft 
Offin*s highway, and bogs of luft ; 
Whereby I may take 'virtue* s furfe. 
And live nuith her for better, fhr ivorfe. 

In the books of the Stationers compawf is the foUotving 
^nntty, ** 7 November 1^76, licenfed unto bim (i. $. Rg» 
^' chard Jones) a ballady intituled^ A vtoeful Ballad, 
^ made by Mr. George Mannynton, an hour before be 
"* fuffered at Cambridge caftelL'* See Dodfieys ColUaiou 
[of Old Plays}, Pol. IP. p. 294, 296. and Pol. XII. 

h 394'* 

This ballad is given, and the above information ex^ 
traSedtfrom the Gontlemans Magazine for January 178 1 ; 
vtthere it is faid, by the perjon vjho communicates it, under 
the fignature of R, C. to be ** ^written in a neat but at 
prejent not very legible hand, on a blank leaf in an old 
biftory of England \*^ the date 1582 appearing, in a dif* 
fer^nt hand, on the oppofite page. 



L 4. I wayle 



5 



I5X ANCIENT SONGS. 

IWayle in woe, I plandge in payoe. 
With forrowing fobbes I do complayne^ 
With wallowing waves I wifhe to dye, 
I languiflie fore here as I lye ; 
In feare I faynte, in hope I hoolde, f 

With ruth I runne *, I was to boulde. 
As lucklefle lot afligned me. 
In dangerous dale of deftinie^ 
Hope bids me fmyle, feare bids me wee^e. 
Such care my fillye fodle doth keepe. lo 



Yet too too late I do repent 

The wicked wayes that I have fpent. 

The rechlelTe care of careleiTe kynde. 

Which hath bewitched my wofull mynde : 

Such is the chance, fuch is the ftate 15 

Of them that truil to much to fate. 

Ko bragging boaile of gentell bloudde 

What fo it be» can do me good ; 

No witt, no (Irengthe, no bewties hewe. 

What fo it be, can death efchewe. 20 



The dyfmall day hath had his will. 
And juftice feeke& my lyfe to fpill, 
Revendgement craves by rigorous lawe 
Wheitof 1 litell flood in awe. 



^ \* t* Mjtjfti nfirfww vfitbfimw. 



The 



ANCIENT SONGS 153 

The dolefoll dumpes to end this lyfe zj 

Bedeckt with care and worldly flryfe ; 

The frowjiing judge hach geven his dome, 

O gentell death thou art welcome. 

The lofTe of life I do not feare. 

Then welcome death the end of care. }• 

My frendes and parents wherefoever you be. 

Full litell do you thinke on me. 

My mother mylde and dame fo deare 

Your loving chylde lyeth fettered heare. 

Would God I had (I wifh to late) 5^ 

Bene borne and bread of meaner (late ! 

Or els would God my rechleiTe eare 

Had bene obedient for to heare 

Your fage advyfe and counfell trewe ! 

But in the Lord parents adue. 49 

You valyant hartes of youthfull trayne. 

Which heare my heavie harte complayne, 

A good example take by me. 

Which knue the kace wherefoever you be. 

Trull not to much to Bilbqe blade, 45 

Nor yet to fortunes fickle trade ; 

Hoyfte not your feales no more in wynde, 

Lefte that fome rocke you chance to fynde. 

Or elfe be dryven to Lybia land 

Whereas the barke may iinke in fande. 50 



You 



1 



J54 ANCIENT SONGS. 

Yofi fladents allthat prefent be 

To viewe my fatall deftenie. 

Would God I could requyte your payne 

Wherein you labour » although in vayne. 

If mightie Jove would thinke it good 55 

To fpare my lyfe and vytall bloud. 

In this yoar proffered curteiie 

I would rerpayne mofl (ledfalUy 

Your fervant true in deed and word ; 

But welcome death ai pleafeth the Lord. 6# 



Ye, welcome death the ende of woef 

And farewell lyfe my fatall foe ; 

Ye, welcome death the end of fkryfe, 

Adue the care of mortall lyfe. 

For though this lyfe do flitt away» 65 

In heaven I hope to lyve for aye ; 

A place of joye and perfedl rtfk. 

Which Chrifl hath purchafed for the beft. 

Till that we meet in heaven mofl higheft» 

Adue, farewell, in Jhefus Chrift. 70 



VIII. THE 



ancij:nt songs. 155 



viir. 

THE THREE RAVEN S, 

A DIRGE. 

From Rcvenfcrofts *' Melt/mat a. Mufical Phaufieu 
Fitting the Cittie, and Count rey H'vmovrj* To 3> 4» 
4uni s* 'voycis, Lond, 1611." 4/0. // tviU be obvious^ 
that this ballad is much older ^ not only tbam the date ^ 
the bookt but than mojl of the other pieces contained in //• 



Treble. 



4 VOCa 



^^ I i H 1^ 



^ 



^d 



T 



HERE were three Rauens fat on a tree« 



{3^ 1. ^ ^ 



i 



S 



I 



•ma* 



^ 



Downe a downe, hay down, hay downe. 



111, f 



There w^re thfee Rauens fat on a tree* with 



a dowie* 



156 



ANCIENT SONGS. 




^ 



\ ! I ! T t . 



a downc. There were three R:iueos (at 



- 1 . 1 1 I- I . I I - 



on a tre, they were as hiacke as they might 




be, with a downe derrie, derrie, derrie, dowoe 



et 



M 



downe. 

The one of them faid to his mate, 
Downe a downe hey downe. 

The one of them faid to his mate. 
With a downe; 

The one of them faid to his mate. 

Where (hall we our breakefaft take ? 
With a downe dery downe. 

Downe in yonder greene field, 

Downe a downe hey downe» 

Dov^ne in yonder greene field. 
With a down^; 



'5 



Dovtrne 



ANCIENT SONGS. 



57 



Downe in yonder greene fields 
There lies a Knight (lain vnder his fhield^ 20 
With a downe. 

His honnds they He downe at his feete» 

Downe a downe hey downe. 
His hounds they lie downe at his feete. 

With a downe, 25 

His hounds they lie downe at his feete^ 
So well they their mailer keepe^ 

With a downe. 

His Haukes they flie fo eagerly, 

Downe a downe. 30 

His Haukes they flie fo eagerly* 

With a downe. 
His haukes they flie fo eagerly. 
There's no fowle dare hixn come nie. 

With a downe. 35 

Downe there comes a fallow Doe» 

Down& a downe, 
Downe there comes a fallow Doe, 

With a downe, 
Downe there comes a fallow Doe, 40 

As great with yong as flie might goe. 

With a downe. 



She 



158 ANCIENT SONGS. 

She lift vp his bloudy hed, 

Downe a downe. 
She lift vp his bloudy hed, 45 

With a downe. 
She lift vp his bloudy hed» 
And kift his wounds that were fo red. 

With a downe. 



She got him vp vpon her backe, 50 

Downe a downe. 
She got him vp vpon her backe. 

With a downe. 
She got him vp vpon her backe. 
And carried him to earthen lake, 55 

With a downe* 

She buried him before the prime, 

Downe a dQwne, 
She buried him before the prime» 

With a downe, 60 

She buried him before the prime. 
She was dead her felfe ere eaen-fbng time. 

With a downe. 

God fend enery gentleman, 

Downe a downe, 6j 

God fend euery gentleman. 

With a downe, 

Gol 



ANCIENT SONGS. 159 

God fend euery gentleman^ 
Sach baukes^ fuch hoands, and fuch a Leman, 
With a downe. 79 



IX. 
THE OVER COURTEOUS KNIGHT. 

From " Diuteromelia: or the Second part of Mujicit 
nulodii, or melodious Muficke. Of pleafant Roundilaiit ; 
JT. H* \Kiiig Hittrys\ mirth or Freemius Songs, and fuch 
diUgbtful Catcbu. Lond. 1609.'' 4/0. This is a foquil 
to** Pamsiuliaf** a collision ofafimilar nature, publijhed 
in the fasui year ; and, like it, ** contains a great number 
rf fine vocal compojitions of «very great antiquity.^* Set 
Hansfkinses Hift. Mufic, 'vol, i*u. /. i8. 

^bisfong is in tbefirft ^volume offomt editions, tbe tbird 
in otbers, ofDurfeys Pills to purge Melancboly ; and in a 
deferent volume is a modernifed copy of it, ^witb confidtra* 
hit variations, beginning'^-' 

•* There ivas a knight, and he nuas young. * 

Bp. Percy found thefuhjeS vtortby of his befi improve'" 
mtnts ; fee Reliques, vol. ii. p, 341. 

In Major Pearfons colleBion of Old Ballads is 'a diji" 
rtnt copy, intitled, ** The Politick Maid,'' beginnini 

** Tbirt was a knight *wai viint drouke.^* 



Yoadcr 



i6o 



ANCIENT SONGS. 




♦ 1 >^ " tJ 



Y 



ONDER comes a courteous Knight, Lufti 



TM i 'irii-,tj , i 



raking ouer the lay. He was well ware of a b 

SZ3EIZ 



m 




± 




ny lafie, as (he came wandring ouer the way. Tl 





(he fang downe a downe, hey downe der - 



y^'HrdirJifrg 



then (he, &c. 

loue you fpeed fayre Lady, he faid. 
Among the leaues that be Co greene ; 

If r were a king and wore a crowne. 

Full foone faire Lady (houldfl thou be a que< 
Then (he fang, downe, &c. 

8 / 



ANCIENT SONGS, i6i 

Alio loue faue you faire Lady, 

Among the Rofds that be fo red ; 
If I haae not my will of you» 

Full foone faire Lady ihall I be dead. 

Then fhe fang, &c. 15 

Then he lookt Bail, then hee lookt Wc&, 

Hee lookt North, fodid he South; 
He could not fi nde a priuy pi ace j 

For all lay in the Diuels mouth. 

Then (he fang, 8cc. 90 

If you will carry me, gentle fir, 

A mayde vnto my fathers hall. 
Then you fhall haue your will of me, 

Vnder purple and vnder paule. 

Then fhe fang, &c. 25 

He fet her vp vpon a Steed, 

And him felfe vpon another: 
And all the day he rode her by. 

As though they had been fifter and brotker. 

Then fhe fang, &c. 30 

» 

When file came to her fathers hall. 

It was well walled round about ; 
^he yode in at the wicket gate 

And ihut the foure ear'd foole without. 

Then ihe fang, &c. 3$ 

M You 



s6t ANCIENT SONGS. 

Yoa had me (quoth ihe) abroad in dke fields 
Among the corae, amidft the hay ; 

Where you might had yoor violl of inee, 
For» in good faith fir, I nener fiud toy* 

Then (he iang» &c. 40 

Te had me alfo amid the field. 

Among the roihes that were fo browne ; 

Where you might had your will of me. 
But you had not the face to lay me dowse. 

Then ihe fang, 8cc 45 

He pulled out his nat-browne fword^ 
And wipt the ruft off with hb fleeue ; 

And faid, loues curfe come to hii hearty 
That any woman would beliere* ' 

Then (he fang, &c. 50 

When you haue your owne true loue^ 
A mile or twaine out of the towne. 

Spare not for her gay clothing. 
But lay her body flat on the groand. 

Then (he (ang, &c. 5} 



X. JOHlf 



ANCIENT SONGS. 163 



X. 



JOHN DORY. 

This tikbrMtid old ballad ^ nubicb, could dm proof bo 
itasmid of its rtal antiqui^, would, in all probability, bo 
^ouudto belong to the preceding, or, poffiblj, even to an an* 
erior, clafs, is given from the publication loft defcribedp 
where it is inferted among the ** Freemens fongs of 3 
voices." This was the favourite performance of the Bug- 
^ifis Minftrels fo lately as the reign of King Charles 11. 
ind Dryden, in one of his lampoons, refers to it ets to the 
wefi hackneyed thing of the time. 

But Sunderland, Godolphin, Lory, 
Th^e njuill appear fuch chits inftory, 
^Tiuill turn all politics tojefis. 

To BB RIPIATED LIKE JOHN DORT, 

Whbn pidlbrs sing at PBASTS. 

In the Chances, by Fletcher, firft printed in 1647^ but 
iuritten long before, the author having dyed in 1625, old 
dntmtio, mShen under the hands ofthefurgeon, who ajtt if 
mdwlgince in allowing mafic will pUafi, fetys. 

Ties ; and let ^emfing 
John Porrie. 

z Gent, ^Tis too long* 

Ant. m have John Dorrie ! 
For to that warlike tune I will be opened* 

The •• Song of Jo hs Dorrib ** is accordingly fup^ 
^fedto befung, for which he orders the muficians teaJhiU 

M 2 lings* 



i64 ANCIENT SONGS. 

lings. It is likt^i/s alluded to in tb$ Knight of tie Bum* 
ing Fifths Aa IL And fi ill mors circumftamtiallj hj th% 
facttious Bp, Coriett, tvJho tells us, that be 

to Paris rode along. 
Much like John Dory in the song. 

Upon an holy tide. 
* He* on AN AMBLING NAG did get ^ lie* 



Hc3 . ol # 1 ♦ t*l* I 

■ 1 7-5 r 



As it 



fell on a holy day ij 



K 



I 



I 1, 



iU-Oi 



m 




holy day> and upon an- holy 



tide a 



tide a 




John Dory bought him an ambling nag ij 




amUing nag 



ANCIENT SONGS. 



i6s 



M'liM' I'i ^^ 



to Paris for to ride a. :||: 




ride a. And when 

And when John Dory to Paris was comej 

A little before the gate z, 
John Dory was fitted, the porter was witted^ 

To let him in thereat a. 



The firft man that John Dory did meet 
Was good King John of France a ; 

John Dory could well of his courtefie» 
But fell downe in a trance a. 



10 



A pardon, a pardon, my Liege 8c my King^ 
For my merie men and for me a ; 

And all the churles in merie England, .15 

He bring them all bound to thee a. 

And Nicholl was then a CorniHi man, . 

A little befide Bohide a ; 
And he mande forth a good blacke barke. 

With fifcie good oares on a fide a. 20 

M 3 Run 



j66 ancient songs. 

Ran up my boy unto the malne top« 
And looke what thou canft fpie «• 

Who ho ! who ho ! a goodly (hip I do fee, 
1 trow it be John Dory a. 

They holft their Ifailes, both top and top, 2j 

The meiffeine and all was tride a ; 

And every man flood to his fot^ 
Whatever ihould betide a. 

The roring cannons then were plide« 

And dub a dub went the drumme a: 5^ 

The braying trumpets lowd they cride» 
To courage both all and fome a. 

The grapling hooks were brought at length. 
The browne bill and the fword a : 

John Dory at length, for all his ftrength, 35 

Was clapt faft under board a. 



XL 

ROBIN LEND TO ME THY BOW. 

A canon in the unifont for four ntoieeSf from " Pammi* 
lia. Mvficks Mi/ceUanie, Or, Mixid 'uariiiit of PUafant 
Roundelay es, and dtUgbtfull Catches, of i, ±, 5. 6« 7« 
8. 9. 10. parts in one, Lond, 1609. 4/^. '' That it 
nvas a popular fong in thi beginning of ^ueen EUxahetbs 
reign appears from, its being mini toned (am»ngft others) 
in a curious old mufical piece, (MSS, Harl* 7578* before 

mtntivmd) 



ANCIENT SONGS. 



167 



mnttiotud) containing the di/cription anifraifu of the city 
9/ Durham, written ahont that time; hut of nvhich the 
corre/ponding parts are unfortunately loft. It is likewifi 
mentioned im*' A 'very mery and pythie commedie, called 
The longer thou liueft the snore /bole thou art.** By fPl 
Wager. London, 4/0. b. /• n% d. 



H'^i 1 1 11^ nil m 



N 



OW Robia lend to me thy bow. Sweet 



U\ \\\\'\ it^ 



Robin lend to me thy bow. For I muft now a 

■^ ±3E2: 




hunting with my lady goe, widi my fweet Lady 



'JFr^ 



goe. Now,'v/yi^. 

And whither will thy Lady goe f 5 

Sweet Wilkin tell it vnto mee; 
And thou (halt haae my hawke, my hound, and eke 

my bow. 
To wait on thy Lady. 

M 4 My 



i63 ANCIENT SONGS. 

lif ladj will to Vppingbsm *, 

To yppin^am fariootk will firee ; lo 

Amditaj ielfe appoinced for to be chc maiij 
To wait oa my Lidj. 

Adltu, good Wilkin^ all beihrewiiey 
Tky hunting nothing pleafieth see : 
Bsl jret beware thy babliag booiuU fknj not abroady 
for angring of tkj lady. i6 

My boomls iball be ted in the line. 
So well I can aEore it thee ; 
VnleflSr bj view of ftraine fome pnrfoe I m^ iade^ 

To pleafe my fweet Lady. as 

With that the Lady fliee came in. 
And wild them all for to agree ; 
For honcft hunting neuer was accoonted finne^ 
Nor neocr ihall for mee* 



* A market town in RtttUHtd/hirt, 



Xir. THB 



I 



ANCIENT SONGS. 169 



xn. 



THE UNGRATEFUL KNIGHT, 

AND 

THE FAIR FLOWER OF NORTHUMBERLAND, 

^"^^i pr$ferved in Deloneys Hifiory of Jack of Newheryy 
^iadj mentioned, ivhere it is thus introduced, ** His Ma^ 
** J^fif ['• '* ^' Henry the Stif, *wbo *was their upon a 'uifit 
to yacJH] came next among tbefpinners and carders , vsbQ 
*' 'Were merrily a ^working ...... The King amd^neen and 

**' ail the nobility heedfully hebtld tbefe 'women, <ajbofor 
** the moft part ivere iiery fair and comely creatures ; and 
" •were all attired alike from top to toe. Then (after 
" due ren/erence) tbe maidens in dulcet manner chanted 
** cut tbisfong, tnuo of them Jinging tbe ditty ^ and all tb§ 
*' reft bearing tbe burden,** 

THB MAIDENS SONG* 

IT was a knight in Scotland born. 
Follow my love, come over the ftrand, 
Was taken prifoner and left forlorn. 

Even by the good earl of Northumberland. 

» 

Then was he caft in prifon ftrong, 5 

Follow my love, leap over the ilrand. 

Where he could not walk nor lye along. 
Even by the good earl of Northumberland. 



170 ANCIENT SONGS« 

Aod u in forrovr thot he laj. 

Follow mj love, come over tke ftnnd. 
The ear][t] fweet daoghter walks that waj. 

And ihe is the fair flower of Northumberl 

And paffing by like an angel bright. 
Follow my love, come over the ftrand. 

This prifoner had of her a fight, 
Andfhe, &c. 

And alood to her this knight did cry. 
Follow my love, come over the flrand. 

The fait tears ftanding in his eye. 

And (be the fair flower of Northamberlai 

Fair lady, he faid, take pity on me. 

Follow my love, come over the ftrand. 

And let me not in prifon die. 

And yott the fair flower of Northamberla 

Fair fir, how fliould I take pity on thee. 
Follow my love, come over the ftrand. 

Thou being a foe to our country. 

And I the fair flower of Northumberland 

Fair lady, I am no foe, he faid^ 

Follow my love, come over the ftrand. 

Through thy fweet love here was I ftay'd. 
For thee the fair flower of North umberla 



ANCIENT SONGS. 171 

Why (honld'l^ tlioa cone here for love of me. 
Follow my lore, come over the ftrand. 

Having wife and children in thy country, jr 

And I the fair flower of Northumberland i 

I fwear by the Blefled Trinity, 

FoHow my love, come over the flrand, 

I have no wife nor children I, 

Nor dwelling at home in merry Scotland. 40 

If courteoufly yon will fet me free. 

Follow my love, come over the flrand, 

I vow that I will marry thee. 

So fbon as I come in fair Scotland. 

Thoa (halt be a lady of cafUet and towers, 4; 

Follow my love, come over the ftrand. 
And fit like a queen in princely bowers. 

When I am at home in fair Scotland. 

Then parted hence this lady gay. 

Follow my love, come over the ftrand, 50 

And got her fathers ring away. 

To help this knight into fair Scotland. 

Likewife much gold fhe got by fleight. 
Follow my love, come over the flrand. 

And all to help this forlorn knight, 5J 

To wend from her father to fair Scotland. 

Two 



172 ANCIENT SONGS. 

Two gallant fteedi both good and able. 
Follow my lore, come Cfcr eke ftrand. 

She likewife took ont of the ftable. 

To ride with the knight into fair Scotland. 

And to the jaybr fhe fent this ring. 

Follow my love, come over the ftrand^ 

The knight from prifon forth did bring 
To wend with her into fair Scotland. 

This token fet the prifoner free, 

Foflow my love, come over the ftrand. 

Who firaight went to this fair lady, ' 
To wend with her into fair Scotland. 

A gallant fteed he did beftride. 

Follow my love, come over the firznd. 

And with the lady away did ride. 

And (he the fair flower of Northumberland. 



They rode till they came to a water dear. 
Follow my love, come over the ftrand. 

Good fir, how (hould I follow you here, 75 

And I the fair flower of Northumberland f 

m 

The water is rough and wonderful deep. 
Follow my love, come over the ftrand : 

And on my faddle I fhall not keep. 

And I the fair flower of Northumberland* ^0 

Fear 



I 



ANCIENT*SONGS. 173 

Petr not the fotrd, fair Itdy, qooth he, 
follow my love, come over the ftrand. 

For long I cannot day for thee. 

And tfaoo the fair flower of Northumberland. 

The lady prlckt her wanton flead, S5 

Follow my love, come over the ftrand. 

And over the river fwom with fpeed. 
And (he. Sec. 

From top to toe all wet was (he. 

Follow my love, come over the flrand^ 90 

This have 1 done for love of thee. 

And I the fair flower of Northumberland. 

Thus rode flie all one winters night. 

Follow my love, come over the fkrsLn^, 

Till Edenborougii they (aw in iight, 95 

The faireft town in all Scotland. 

Now chufe, quoth he, thou wanton flower. 
Follow my love, come over the ftrand. 

Where * thou wilt be my paramour. 

Or get thee home to Northumberland* !ۥ 

For I have wife and children five. 

Follow my love, come over the ftrand. 

In Edenborough they be alive. 

Then get thee home to fair England. 



• i. f. Whether. 



Thii 



,74 ANCIEl^T SONGS. 

This favour thoo (halt have to boot, X05 

Follow my love> come over the ftrand« 

I'le have ' thy * horfe, go thou on foot^ 
Go get thee home to Northumberland. 

O falfe and faithlefs knight^ quoth fhe» 

Follow my love, come over the ftrand^ no 

And canfl thou deal fo bad with me> 

And I the fair flower of Northumberland ? 

Diihonour not a ladies name. 

Follow my love, come over the flrand. 

But draw thy fword, and end my (hame, 115 

And I the fair flower of Northumberland. 

He took her from her (lately fleed, 

' Follow my love, come over the flrand. 
And left her there in extream need. 

And fhe the fair flower of Northumberland. 120 

Then fat flie down full heavily. 

Follow my love^ come over the flrand^ 

At length two knights came riding by^ 
Two gallant knights of fair England. - 

She fell down humbly on her knee, lij 

Follow my love, come over the flrand, 

Sa3ring, Courteous knight take pity on me. 
And I the fair flower of Northumberland. 



F, 107, my. 



I hare 



ANCIENT SONGS. 175 

1 have offended my father dear. 

Follow my love, come over the ftrand, 130 

And by a falfe knight that brought me here^ 

From the good earl of Northumberland* 

They took her up behind them then. 
Follow my love» come over the ftrand^ 

And brought her to her father again, 13 j 

And he the good earl of Northumberland. 

All yon fur maidens^ be warned by me. 
Follow my love, come over the ftrand^ 

Scots never were true, nor never will be. 

To lord, nor lady, nor fair England. ij^%^ 



XIII. 

TflE WEAVERS SONG. 

From tie /ami Work, *' Then came bis bighne/s, mtbere 
'* hefann a bundred looms ftanding in one room, and two 

• men nmrking in every one, who fUa/autlj /ung in tbii 

* /ort*\ 

Whett 



176 ANCIENT SONGS. 

WHEN Hercules did ufe to fpin. 
And Pallas wrought upon the loom^ 
Our trade to flourifh did begin. 

While confcience went not felling broom ; 
Then love and friendfhip did agree, j 

To keep the bands of amity. 

When princes Tons kept fheep in field. 

And queens made cakes of wheated flower. 

The men to lucre did not yield. 

Which brought good cheer in every bower ; 10 

Then love and friendfhip did agree. 

To hold the bands of amity. 

But when the Gyants huge and high. 

Did fight with fpears like weavers beams^ 

Then they in iron beds did lye, 15 

And brought poor men to hard extreams ; ' 

Yet love and friendfhip did agree. 

To hold the bands of amity. 

Then David took hi^ fling and ftone, 

Not fearing great Goliahs flrength, 20 

He pierc't his brains, and broke the bone. 

Though he were fifty foot of length : 
For love and friend fliip, &c. 



Ba€ 



ANCIENT SONGS. 177 

But while the Greeks befieged Troy, 

Penelope apace did fpin : 25 

And weavers wrought with mickle joy. 

Though little gains were coming in ; 
For love.acd friend fhip, &c. 

Had Helen then fate carding woolly 

(Whofe beauteous face did breed fuch ftrifi^ 30^ 
She had not been fir Paris trull. 

Nor caufed fo many to lofe their life $ 
Yet we by love did ftill agree,. 
To hold the bands of amity. 

Or had king Priams Wanton Ton, 35 

Been making quills with fweet content. 

He had not then his friends undone. 

When he to Oreece a gadding went; 

For love and friend Oiip did agree, kc. 

The cedar-trees endure more ftorms, 40 

Then little fhrubs that fprout on high : 

The weavers live more void of harms. 
Then princes of great dignity ; 

While love and friend (hip doth agree, &c. 

The fhepherd fitting in the field, 45 

Doth tune his pipe with hearts delight : 

When princes watch with fpear and fhield. 
The poor man foundly ileeps all night. 

While love and friendfhip doth agree, 8cC. 

'N Yet 



178 ANCIENT SONGS. 

Yet this by proof is daily try*d. 

For Gods good gifts we are ingrate» 

And no man through the world fo wide^ 
Lives well contented with his flate^ 

No love and friendihip we can fee. 

To hold the bands of anoity. 



XIII. 
SONG, 

IN IMITATION OF MAR LOW*. 

From Englands Helicon, 1600. // is fubfcrihid I 
VOTO, a term u/ed in that hook for Anonymous^ a 
MOt, as Mr. IVarton has been pleafed i§ afftrt, for the « 
fiant Jignaturi of Sir Walter Raltigh. 

COME line with nee, and be my deert. 
And we will reuel all the yeere. 
In plaines and groaues, on hills and dales ; 
Where fragrant ayre breedes fweeteil gaks. 

There fhall yon haue the beauteous Pine, 
The Cedar, and the fpreading Vine, 
And all the woods to be a Skreene : 
LcaU Phaebus kiffc my Sommers Que^ne* 

10 1 



ANCIENT 8 0NGS. , 179 

The feate for your difport (hall be 

Ouer Tome Riuer in a tree, Iq 

Where filuer fands, and pebbles iing 

Eternall ditties with the fpring* 

There (hall you iee the Nimphs at play^ 

And how the Satires fpend the day ; 

The iifhes gliding on the fands, I j 

Offering th^ir bellies to your hands. 

The birds with heauenly tuned throates^ 
PofTeiTe woods Ecchoes with fweet roates, 
Which to your fences will impart^ 
A mufique to enflame the hart. zo 

Vpon the bare and leafe-leiTe Oake, 
The Ring-Doues wooings will prouoke 
A colder blood then you pofTefTe^ 
To play with m^ and doo no lelTe* 

In bowers of Laurell trimly dight, 2J 

We will out-weare the (ilent nighty 
While Flora bufie is to fpread« 
Her ricbeft treafure on our bed. 

Ten thoufaird Glow^wormes (hall attend^ 
. And all their fparkling lights fhall fpend, 36 

All to adome and beeutifie 
Your lodging with moft maieftiCk 

N z Then 



i8o ANCIENT SONGS. 

Then in mine armes will I enclofe 

Lillies faire mixture with the Rofe, 

Whofc nice perfections in loues play ' 35 

Shall tune me to the higheft key. 

Thus as we pafTe the welcome night. 

In fportfuU pleafures and delight. 

The nimble Fairies on the grounds^. 

Shall daunce and fing melodious found?* 40 

If thefe may ftmc for to entice 
Your prefence to Loues Paradice, 
Then come with me, and be my deare. 
And we will ilraite begin the yeare* 



XIV. 
THE SPRING TIME. 

BY SHAKSPBARI* 

^^tsfung hy two pages in tbi cemidy of As Tou Lib i/> 
•ffwhich play there is no early er edition than tbi folio i^ 
1623 ; whence it is here given : but the ftan%as being 
i*vidently mi/placed (that <wbicb is now the laft Jtem%^ 
being there the JeeondJ^ they are here tran/po/ed according 
to the regulation of the ingenious Dr* Tbirliy* 



ANCIENT SONGS. 18* 

(s you Like It appears to have been entered at Sta* 
erS'hall, Aug* 4^ 1600. 

[T was a lover^ and his lafs^ 
With a hey^ and a ho, and a hey nonino. 
That o'er the green corn-field did pafs. 

In the fpring time, the onely pretty ' ring * time, 
Vhen birds do fing, hey ding a ding, ding ; 5 

Iweet lovers We the fpring. 

between the acres of the rye. 

With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino, 
Thefe pretty country folks would lie. 

In the fpring time, lie* 10 

■ 

The carol they began that hour. 

With a hey, and a ho, and a key nonino, 

Eiow that life was but a flower. 
In the fpring time, tic. 

KnA, therefore take the prefent time, 15 

With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino, 

Por love is crowned with the prime. 
In the fpring time, £sff. 



V» 4« the foHo rtadsf the onely pretty rang time ; the modern 
Ifori the pretty rank time. Both readings are nonfenfe* Mr* Stee^ 
n< Juggefted ring, which is evidently the true word ; and, as be 
plaint ity means the apteft feafoa for marriage. 

N3 XV. THE 



%2i ANCIENT SXJNGS. 



r XV. 

THE POWER OF MUSIC- 

BT 8HA)LtP£ARB. 

From the Hiftory of King Henry FIJL in which it «/• 
fears to have heen originally fung to the lute by onetf 
^ueen Catharines female attemlants. This play, though not 
printed before 16239 contains intrinfic evidence of having 
beenfittiped before the death of^ueen Slizabeth^ 

ORPHEUS with his lutt made trees. 
And the mountaine tops, that freeze. 
Bow themfelues, when he di-d fing s 
To his muficke, plants, and flowers. 
Ever fprung ; as funne, and ihowers, 5 

There had made a lafting fpring. 

Eaery thing that heard him play, 
Euen the billowes of the fea. 

Hung their heads, & then lay by : 
In fweet muficke is fuch art ; 10 

Killing care, & griefe of heart. 

Fall afleepe, or, hearing, dye^ 



XVI. HARK I 



ANCIENT SONGS. itz 



XVI. 
HARK! HARK! THE LARK. 

BY SHAKSPEARE. 

-»// fung hy Chtens Muficians under Imogens nvindomtf^ 
« Cjmielsne, A^ II , Jcene 3. fVe are entirely ignorant 
ff the nature of the orii^inal mufic, but every one is ^r- 
\uainted 'with the beautiful Glee compafed by Dr. Cooke. 

HARK ! hark ! the lark at heavens ^ate fings^ 
And Phoebus gins arife^ 
His fteeds to water at thofe fprings 
On chalic'd flowers that lies ; 

And winking Mary-buds begin« f 

To ope their golden eyes ; 
With every thing that pretty * bin* ; 

My Udy fweet, ariie. 



y* y. !•• 



N4 XVII. THE 



l84 ANCIENT SONGS^ 



XVIL 



THE JOVIAL TINKER. 

" Difperfid thro* Shakefpeare*s flayt an innumerable 
'* Utile Jfr a foments of ancient ballads, the entirt copies of 
•* 'V)hich Lould not be reco^ueud. Many of thefe being of 
" the moji beaijtfnl and pathetic Jsmplicity, the Editor njcas 
" tempted to Jelect fomc. of them, and luith afewj fupple* 
*' mental ft an^as io conn f£l them together ^ and form them 
•* into a little ta.e, luhch is here fubmitted to the 
** Readers candour, 

" * 7'*wo or three ^ /mall * fragments *were* taken from 
* ' Beaumont and Fletcher . ' ' 



IT was a jovial tinker. 
All of the North Countrie, 
As he wallet forth along the way. 
He fung right merrily. 

The oufcl- cocky fo black of hue, 5 

With orange-tawny bill. 
The throftle with his note fo true. 

The wren with little quill : 

Tha 



ANCIENT SONGS. Hi 

4 

The finch, the fparrow, and the larkj ' 

The plain-foDg cuckow gray, 
Whofe note full many a man doth mark« ~ 

And dares not anAver, nay. 



Now Chrift thee fave^ thou jolly tinker. 
Now Chrift thee fave and fee ; 

My true love haft thou chanc'd to meet ? 
I pray thee tell to me. 



lO 



15 



And how fhoold I know your true love. 

From another one f 
O by his ilouched hat, and ftaiF, 

And by his clouted fhoone. ZO 



But chiefly by his comely nofe. 
Which is fo fair to fee ; 

My bonny fweet Robin is all my ]oy^ 
And ever more fhall be. 

O Lady, your true Ipve is falfe, . 

Lady, he is untrue % 
For he has got him another love. 

And ^uite forfaken you. . 

He fet her on a milk-white fteedy 
And himfelf upon a grey; 

He never turn'd his face again, 
Bnt he bore her c^uite a way. 



as 



30 



And 



kg$ ANCIENT SONGS* 

And will he not come again f 

And will he not come again f— 

No^ no, he is gone, and we'll caft away moai. 
For he never will come again. 36 

But (hall we go monrn for diat, my 4ear ^ 
The pale moon (hines hy night :. 

And when we wander here and there. 

We then do go moft right* Jp 

If tinkers may have leave to live. 
And bear the (bw-fkin budget^ 

Then my account 1 well may give« 
And in the flocks avouch it* 

Jog on» jog on, the foot-path way» 4J 

And merrily hent the flile-a ; 
A merry heart goes all the day» 

Your fad tires in a mile-a. 

For I the ballad will repeat. 

Which men full true (hall find ; 5I 

Your marriage comes by deftiny. 

Your cuckow fings by kind.-** 

O hearts o hearty heavy hearty 

Why figh'fl thou without breaking ? 

Jecaufe thou canft not eafe thy fmart« Si 

By friendihip, nor by fpeaking. 

Widi 



ANCIENT SONGS. itf( 

With that flie fighed as ihe ftood. 

And gave this fentence-theii ; 
Among nine bad if one be good. 

There's yet one good in teR.-— Co 

Lady, what wilt thon d6, Lad)F? 

Lady, what would'ft thon be f 
Tell me thy mind thj friend TU prove. 

As quicklj thoa ihalc fee»«-«- 

J would not be a ferviiig-man, 6j 

To carry the cloak-bag ftill ; 
^or would I be a falconer. 

The greedy hawks to fill : 

But I would be in a good houfe. 

And have a good mader too ; 70 

And I would eat and drink the heft. 

And no work would I do. 

But I will cut my pretty green coat, 

A foot above my knee ; 
And I will cl;p my yellow locksj 7$ 

An inch below my eye. 

And I will buy me a little white horfe. 

Thereon forth for to ride ; 
And I'll go feek my own true love. 

Throughout the world fo wide.— ^ to 

Yet 



5S8c ANCIENT SONGS. 

Yet ftay thee. Lady, turn agda» 
And dry thofe weeping tears. 

For fee, beneath this tinkers garb. 
Thy own true love appears.— 

Now farewell grief, and welcome joy 
Once more unto my hbart ; 

For lince I have found thee, lovely youths 
We never more will part; 



XVIII. 



THE LANCASHIRE SONG. 

^—Gi^ven ffom** Wit and Drollery.^* Lond. 1661. I2««. 
CorreGed by a copy prefer'ved in Drydtns Mi/cellamous 
P$ems, and in tivo »r three places by a fiill more modern 
Mr/. My lord Mounteagle^ nxbofe bears are mentioned in 
the ^hjlanxa, nvas probably Sir William Stanley the third 
smd laft baron of that name, nuho fucceeded his father in 
ihe id of Elizabeth (1560), and dyed muithout male ijfta 
^ I • • . • His feat nvas at Hornby Caftle in Lancajbire, 



IN 



ANCIENT SONGS. 189 

IN Lancsfhire, where I was born. 
And many a cuckold bred ; 
I had not been marryed a quarter of a year^ 
But the horns grew out of my head. 

With hey the toe bent, and hei the toe bent. 
Sir Percy is under the Line ; 6 

God fave the good Earl of Shrewfbury, 
For he is a good friend of mine. 

Doncader mayor, he fits in a chair. 

His mills they merrily go, !• 

His nofe doth fhine, with drinking of wine^ 

The Gout is in his great toe. 

But he that will fiih for a Lancafhire Lsiffe, 

At any time or tyde, 
Muft bait his hook with a good egge pie, i j 

And an apple with a red fide. 

He that gallops his horfe on Blackflone-edge,** 

By chance may catch a fall ; 
My lord Mount Eagles bears be dead. 

His jackanapes and all. 20 



* ''I left HtllifaXf and road overfuch tosyes as are pafi 

'.wmfarthn or amending, f»r wbtn J went downe the lofty mountains 
ailed Blacxstons Edge, / thought my felfe voitb my boy and 
^r/et bad been in the land of Breakneck, it was /o fteep and t§» 
tiofft.** Nm/sfrtm Hellf Hull, and HallifaXf &c* by J»bn TayUr* 

At 



X90 ANCIENT SONGS. 

At Skipton in Craven there's never a hareOi 
Yet many a time foul weather ; 

He that will not lie a fair woman hjg 
I wiih he were hang'd in a teather. 

My lady hath loft her left leg hofe, t^ 

So has (he done bothe her (hoone ; 

She*ll earn her break-faft before (he do rife. 
She'll lie elfe in bed till noon. 

Joan Mai ton's crofTe is of no force^ 

Though many a cuckold go by 3 \% 

Let many a man do all that he can. 

Yet a cuckold he fhall die. 

The good wife of the Swan hath a leg like a mafli 

Full well it becomes her hofe ; 
She jets it apace with a very good grace^ 3f 

But falleth back at the fa^ clofe. 

The prior of Courtree made a great pudding-pici 
His monkes cryed meat for a king $ 

If the abbot of Chefler do die before Eafter, 

Then Banbury bells muft ring. 40 



T. 21. Scripton. W, & D. Shipton. i). ilf* 
y. 24. leather. ^. & D* J>' M. 



Mf 



ANCIENT SONGS, tgt 

Ha that mil a Welchman catck, 

'Miift W2tcli when the mnd'i in the Sonth, 
And put in a net a good piece of roaft-cheefe. 

And hang it dofe to lot month. 

And Lancaihire, if thoa be tine, 49 

As ever thou baft been ; 
Go fell thy old whittol, and hay a new fiddle^ 

And £ng God faVe the Queen, 





Comprehending the Reigns of James I. 
Charles T. Charles II. and James XL 



THE LIFE AND DEATH OF SIR HUGH 
OF THE GRIME. 

Till iaiiaJ, which may ftjftblj ef right htleiig H til 
frrctding tla/i, the tditar tanfej^ng himftlf intirtlj ignartul 
' ' ' " " • ■ ,tnfrBm an eld black Itlttr cefy in tht 
cellt^ieH af tht latt MeJT Pear/u, 
' in tht bandi Bfjobn Btymei, f/j. 



ANCIENT SONGS. 193 

AS it befell upon one time, 
Aboat Mid-fammer of the year« 
Bverjr man was taxt of hu crime^ 
. For fiealing the good Iiord Biihopt mare. 

The good Lord Screw he fadled a horfe 5 

And rid after this fame fcrime. 
Before he did get over the mofs 

There was he aware of Sir Hugh of the Grime. 

Tom, O turn thoa falfe traytor. 

Torn and yield thyfelf unto me : 1^ 

Thoo haft ilolen the Lord Bifhops mare» 
' And now thou thinkefl away to flee. 

No» foft Lord Screw, that may not be. 
Here is a broad fword by my fide. 

And if that thou can'ft conquer me, 15 

The vidory will foon be try'd. 

I ne'r was afraid of a traytor bold. 

Although thy name be Hugh in the Grime, 
lie make thee repent thy fpeeches foul. 

If day and life but ^ve me time. 20 

Then do thy worft good Lord Screw, 

And deal your blows as faft as yoo can : 

it will try'd between me and yoo. 

Which of tts two ihall be the beft mtH. 

O Thus 



194 AN-CIENT SONGS. 

Thus 2s they dealt tkeir blows fo fret^ aj 

And both (b bloody u that time. 

Over the mofs ten ye<mien they fee. 

Come for to take fir Hogh in the Grime; 

Sir Hogh fet hie back againft a tree, 

And then the men encompaft him round, }0 
His mickle fword from his hand did flee» 

& then they brooght fir Hugk to the groond* 

Sir Hugh of the Grime now taken is, 

. And brought back to Gariard Town, 
The good wives all in Garlard Town» 55 

Sir Hugh in the Grime thoa'fl ne'r gang down. 

The good Lord Biihop is come to the town. 

And on the Bench is fet fo high. 
And every man was taxt to his crimoy ' 

At length he called fir Hogh in theGrime^ 40 

Here am I, then falfe Bi(hop» 

Thy humours all to fulfill, 
I do not think my fadt fo great. 

But thou may'il pot it into thy own wiSl. 

The queft of jury-men was call'd» ' 45 

The beft that was in Garland Town, 

Eleven of them fpoke all in a breaft» 

Sir Hugh in the Grime thoa'ft ne'r gang down. 

Thftt 



k 



ANCIENT SONGS. 195 

Then other <([deAiy-meii was aWA, 

The^beH that was in KmtnAtj, 50 

Twelve of then fpdke all ia a breat, 

Sir'HiLgh in the Oriaie thoa'ft now guilty. 

Then came doyva my gocfd Lord Boles,. 

Fallini; down upoQ his knee^ 
Five kuidred pieces of gold wfHild I give^ 55 

To ^aat Sir |iugh in the Grime td tte. 

Peace^ peace, my good Lord Bolet, 
And ef your fpeeches fet them by» 

If there, be eleven Grimes all of a name^ 

Then by my own honour they all ihould dye. 

Then came down my good Lady Ward» 61 

FalliAg low upon her ktiee. 
Five hundred meafures of gold i'le give» 

To grant Sir Hugh of the Grinije to me* 

Peace^ pisace, my good Lady Ward^^ . 65 

None of ypur proffers (hall him buy^ 

For if there be twelve Grimes all of a name^ 
By my own honour they all ihould dye. 

Sir Hugh of the Grime's condemn'd to dye. 

And of his friends he had no lack, 70 

Fourteen foot he leapt in his ward. 

His hands bound fad upon his back. 

O 2 Then 



196 ANCIENT SONG& 

Then he lookt over his left flumlder. 

To fee whom he could fee or (pf. 
There was he aware of his father dear« 7$ 

Came tearing his hair moft pitdfaUy* 

'' Peacej peace« my father dear« 

And of your Speeches fet them by*. 
Though they have bereavM me of my life. 

They cannot bereave me of heaven to high.** 

He lookt over his right ihoalder« 81 h 

To fee whom he could fee or ipy. 
There was he aware of his mother dear. 

Came tearing her hair moft pittifiilly* 

" Pray have me remembred to Peggy my mfe^ 8{ 

As ihe and I walkt over the moor* 
She was the caofer of my life. 

And with the old Bifliop (he plays the whore. 

Here lohnny Armftrong take thou my fword 

That is made of the mettle fo fine : 90 

And when thoa com^ft to the Border fide* 

Remember the death of Sir Hngh of the Grine.'' 



n. LAV 



ANCIENT SONGS. 197 



n. 



LAY A GARLAND ON MY HEARSE. 

Tins iligant little pita is found in ne Mmids Trmpi^^ 
r Bumwuni and Fletelur* Jirft printed in l6l9» nubiri 

is Jung hj J/pmia, being introduced ly a jbert dim^ 
gme ietween her and EvMue. 

LA Y a garland on my hearfe. 
Of the difmal yew ; 
Maidens, willow branches bear; 

Say, I died true : 
My love was falfe, but I was firm 5 

From my hour of birth. 
Upon my buried body lie 
Lightly^ gentle earth ! 



OS SL THI 



198 ANCIENT SONG^^ 



in. 

THE MOTHERS LULLABY. 
Frem a MS. of James tbi Ifls tim*. Bib. Sltam. 1708. 



i ^1 



MY little fweete derlinge> my comfbrte and ioye. 
Singe Lullyby Lully, 
Ih bcwtie pxcclUnge the princes of Tf oyc,^ 

Singe Lnlla by Lully. 

Nowe fucke childe> and fleepe child, thy mothers fweele 
boye, 5 

Singe Lalla by Lally ; 

The gods blefTe and keepe thee from ^ra<U amiuqr^ 

Singe Lully Lully I^ully, 

Sweete baby, Lully Lully, fweete baibj^» Lolly Lolly. 

• • 

Thy father, fweete Jnfant, from mother ys gone, lO 

Singe Lolly Lully Lully, 
And fhee in the woodes hecre w' thee lefte alone. 

Singe Lolly by Lolly. 
To thee, little Jnfant, why do J make mone ? 

Singe Lully Lully, 15 

Sith thou canft not helpe mee to fighe nor to grone. 

Singe Lully Lully Lully, 
Sweete Baby» Lolly by, Sweete Baby, Lully Lolly. 

IV. A 



ANCIENT SONGS. 199 



fff 
fff 
€€ 



TV. 



A LAMENTABLE BALLAD 

<«-*' cf a Combate latgly Fought ^ near London , ieMJuam 
Sir James Stetvard^ and Sir George Wharton ^ Knights i 
*who tvere both Jlain at that time. To the Tum of^ 
Doavn Plumpton-parjk, (sTr." 



The dsttl ijjhich ga*ue oeeafion to the fbllowng ballad 
(here printed from aft old black letter copy in Major Pear* 
/ons colleQion) happened in 1609. Sir George Wharton 
*was the eldeft fon of Philip lord Wharton^ by Prances^ 
daughter of. Henry Clifford^ earl of Cumberland, He 
marryed Anne^ daughter of John Manntrs earl of Rut* 
land, but left no i£u§. 



IT grieves my heart to tell the woe ' 
That did near London late befal^ 
On Martlemas-eve^ O woe is me, 
I grieve the chance, and ever fhall. 

Of two right gallant Gentlemen, 
Who very raflily fell at words. 

But to their quarrel could not fall. 
Till they fell both by their keen fwords : 



O 4 Th« 



200 ANCIENT SONGS. 

The one Sir George Wharton callM, 
' The good Lord Wharton's fon and heir« le 
The other Sir James, a Scottifli Knight, 
A man that a valiant heart did bear : 

Near to the court thefe Gallants fiout. 
Fell out as they in gaming were ; 

And in their fury grew fo hot, 15 

They hardly could from blows forbear. 

Nay, kind intreaties could not ftay 
Sir James from iUiking in that place. 

For in the height and heat of bloud. 
He ftrnck young Wharton o'er the face ; to 

What doft thou mean, faid Wharton then. 

To firike in fuch unmanly fort f 
That I will uke it at thy hands. 

The tongue of man ih^l ne'er f eport. 

Why, do thy worft, then faid Sir James, 25 
And mark me, Wharton, what I fay. 

There's ne'r a Lord in England breathes. 
Shall make me give an inch of way. 

This brag's too brave, flout Wharton faid. 
Let our brave Engliih Lords alone, 30 

And talk with me that am your foe. 
For yott fliall find enough of one. 



y". %$• to. FC, 



Alts, 



ANCIENT SONGS. aoi 

Alas, Sir, faid the Soottilb Knight, 
Thy bloud and mind's too bafe for me. 

Thy oppofitions are too bold, 3{ 

And will thy dire deftradion be. 

Nay, faid young Wharton, yoo miftaiee. 
My coorage and valour equals thine^ 

To mak't apparent caft thy glove. 
To 'gage to try, as I do mine. 40 

Ay, faid Sir James, haft fuch ipiritf 

I did not think within thy breafte 
That fuch a haughty daring heart 

As thou mak'ft (hew of e'er could reft. 

I enterchange my glove with thee, 4; 

Take it, and point thy bed of death ; 
The field, I mean, where we miift fight. 

And one or both loofe life and breath. 

We'll meet near Walthan, faid Sir George, 
To morrow that ftiall be the day, 50 

We'll either take a fingle man. 
And try who bears the bell away. 

This done, together hands they ihookj 

And, without any envious fign. 
They went to Ludgate where they ftud, 5J 

And drank each man his pint of wine* 



V* 48. for. VC. 



No 



ANCIENT SONGS. 

No kind of asger could be (etm. 
No words of malice might bcwrty^ 

But all was fair, a** calm as cqpl 

As loye within their bofomes lay. fo 

THl parting time, and then indeed 
They (hcwM fome rancour of their heart ; 

George, faid Sir James, when next we meet. 
So found I know we (hall not part. 

And fo they parted, both refolv'd 65 

To have their valour fully try*d : 
The fecond Part (hall briefly (how. 

Both how they met, and how they dyM. 



I 



THB SECOND PART. 

Totmg Wharton was the firft that came 

To the appointed place next day, 70 

Who prefently fpy'd Sir James coming 
As fail as he could poft away ; 

And l)elng met in manly fort. 

The Sdotch Knight did to Wharton fay^ 
I do not like thy.doublet, George^ 75 

It fits fo well on thee to day : 



Hall 



V 



ANCIENT SONGS. aoi 

Haft thoa no privy armour on> 

Nor yet no privy coat of Aeel ? . 
r ne'er faw Lord in all my life 

Become a doublet half fo well. S^ 

Now nzy, tow nay, ftout Wharton faid« 
Sir James Steward that may not be, 

I'll not an armed man come hither^ 
And thou a naked man truly. 

Our men Audi ftrip our doublets, George^ 85 
So (hall we know whether of us lye. 

And then we'll to our weapons (harp, 
Ourfelves true Gallants for to try. 

Then they ftript oiF their doublets fair. 

Standing up in their (hirts of lawn, . 90 

Follow my counfel, the Scotch -man faid. 
And Wharton to thee I'll make known : 

Now follow my counfel, I'll follow thine. 
And we'll £ght in our (hirts, faid he : 

Now nay, now nay, young Wharton faid, 95 
Sir James Steward that may not be, 

Unlefs we were drunkards and qnarrellersj 

That had no care of our fell. 
Not caring what we go about. 

Or whether our fouls go to heaven or hell. 100 

We'll 



104 ANCIENT SONGS. 

We'll firil to God bequeath our foals. 
Then next oar corpfe to daft and clay : 

With that ftoQt Wharton was the firft 
Took rapier and poniard there that day : 

Seven tUrafts in tarns thefe Gallants had, loc 
Before one drop of bloud was drawn. 

The Scottifli Knight then fpake valiantly, 
Stoot Wharton ftill thou holdft thy own. 

With the next thraft that Wharton throft. 
He ran him throagh the (hoalder bone, i lO 

The next was through the thick o* th* thigh. 
Thinking he had the Scotch Knight flain : 

Then Wharton faid to the Scottifli SLnight, 

Are you a living man, tell me ? 
If there be a fargeon in England can, iij 

He ihall care your woands right fpeedily. 

Now nay, now nay, the Scottifli Kt. faid. 
Sir George Wharton that may not be. 

The one of as (hall the other kill. 
E'er of this ground that we do flee. la* 

Then in amaze fir George lookt back. 

To fee what company was nigh. 
They both had dangerous marks of deaths 

Yet neither woald from th* other fiie. 



^. xo6« owa. PC F« 107. fpcak. PC. 



But 



ANCIENT SONGS. 205 

But both through body wounded (ore, isr 

A^th courage lufty flrong and founds 

They made a deadly defperate clofe. 
And both fell dead unto the ground ; 

Our Englifh Knight was the firft that fell. 
The Scotch Knight fell immediately, 130 

Who cryed both to Jefus Chrift, 
Receive our fouls, O Lord, we dye. 

God blefs our noble King and Queen, 

And all the noble progeny. 
That Britain fiill may live in one« 155 

In perfect love and unity. 

Thus to conclude I make an end, 
Wifhing that quarrels ftill may ceafe. 

And that we flill may live in lore. 
In profperous date, in joy and peace. 140 

V. 137. and. ¥C. 



V. 

A LOVE SONNET. 

BY MASTER WITHER. 

^li ginfiu from a /malt mfctlUmy in I2W. iniilkd, 
ADefcriptiun 9f Lovi. H^itb certaim Epigram. Ele* 
fiis. and S§tmits* And sljh l/U^. Jthnfvm anfwin /# 

•• mafiif 



m6 ancient songs. 

•« mafier Wsihirs. With the crtrnf Ludgate^ andthi Somg 
«* of the Begger.*^ Sth ed. Lond. 1636.— T'i^ third 'verjk 
is quoted by Hearne in his ttotfs and fpicilegi on WHliam of 
Nenxjbury^ fp, *j^6J from the zd ed. 1620. and hy him 
attributed to the above ijoriter. In fome iditions of that 
humourous trifle » *' The Companion to the Guide, *^ one of the 
juvenile produStions of the prefent laureate mety be found a 
finular fong^ fuihich the ingenious author ajcribes to Taylor 
the Water Poet, andfuppo/es to be older than this of With* 
ers, being printed in 1618; a circumftance by no means 
conelufi've ; and wuhoe'ver examines and compares the two 
pieces can fcarcely hefetate a moment in deciding in fa* 
vour of the foUonving ballad, both as to antiquhy and 
merit. To cut the matter Jhort, ho'we'uer, nue Jhidl attempt 
to afcertain the ijery year in nvhich it ivas luritten. The 
author ivas admitted of Magdalen College, Oxford » in 1 604, 
and having pur/ued his fludies for three years, left the C/«i- 
verfity for the Inns of Chancery, Nowj it tvifl be evident 
that this fong ixjos njoritten at college f as nvellfrom its being 
clearly a youthful compofition, as from the mention he makes 
in it of his fummer exeurjums to Medley, ** a large houfe 
** befween Godftonu and Oxford^ very pleafantly fituated 
^* juft by the river, and a famous place for recreation in 
** fummer time*.** See alfo V. 60. If therefore ive al' 
lovj the firft year for his falling in love, the fecond for the 
favorable return he experienced, and the third for the lofs 
of his miftrefs, this fong muft have been varitten in 1606, 
*when the author vuas 1% years of age* John Taylor *was 
en all occafeons the profejfed antagonifl of Wither, and thert 
eannot be a doubt that the fong printed by Mr. Warton is 
a direQ parody of the follovMng, 

George Wither vjas born in 1588, and dyed in 1667. 
The reader vjill find fome account of him in Percys Re^ 
liques. Vol, III, p. 190^ and a very long one in Woods 
Aihen^e Oxonienfes, Vol, 11, /. 391. 

^ Hearneuhtfupra* p. ^^$,7^6* 



ANCIENT SONGS, iq| 

ILov'd a laiTe, a faire tme. 
As faire as ere was &enc» 
She was indeed a rare one» 
Another Sheba Queene; 
But foole'as then I was« j 

I thought (he lov'd me too. 
But now alas fh'as left xne^ 
Falero^ lero> loo. 

Her haire like gold did gliftcr. 
Each eye was like a flarre^ m^ 

Shee did furpaife her filler. 
Which pad all others farre ^ 
Shee would me hony call, 
She'd^ 6 (he'd kiife me too» 
But now alaffe fh'as left me, qj 

Falero, lero^ loo. 



In fummer time to Medley 
My love and I would goe> 
The boat-men there flood xeadle^ 
My love and I to rowe ; 
For creame there would we call^ 
For cakes, and for prunes tob^, 
£ut now alaffe fh'aa left m^ 
Falero^ lero^ loo. 



Msogr 



2o8 ANCIENT SONGS. 

Many a merry meedng s{ 

My love and I have had ; 
She was my onely fweedng. 
She made my heart foil glad : 
The teares ftood in her eye«» 
Like to the morning dew» ]0 

Bot now alaiTe fh^as left me» 
Falero, lero^ loo. 



And as abroad we walked. 

As lovers fafliion is. 

Oft as we fweetly talked, 5{ 

The fun would fteale a ki/Te ; 

The winde upon her lips 

Likewife moft fweetly blew. 

But now alafTe fh'as left me, 

Falero, lero, loo. 40 

Her cheekes were like the cherrie^ 
Her (kin as white as fnow. 
When ihe was Myth and merrie. 
She angel*like did fhow : 
Her waft exceeding fmall, 4j 

The fives did fit her (hoo. 
Bat now alafle fli'as left me, 
Fakro, lero, loo* 



ANCIENT SONGS. 109 

I 

In fummer time or winter^ , 
She had her hearts defire, 50 

I ilill did fcorne to ftint her. 
From fugar, facke^ or fire : 
The world went round about. 
No cares we ever knew. 
But now alafTe fh'as left me, 55 

Falero, lero, loo. 

As we walk'd home together 
At midnight through the townc. 
To keepe away the weather, 
O're her I'de cad my gowne ; 69 

No colde my love (hould feele. 
What ere the heavens could doe. 
But now alaife fh^as left me, 
Falero, lero, loo. 

Like doves we would be billing, 65 

And clip and kilTe fo fail. 
Yet (he would be unwilling 
That I fhould kifle the lall ; 
They*re Judas kiiTes now. 
Since that they prov'd untrue, 7^ 

For now alafTe fh'as left me, 
Falero, lero, loo« ' 



T« 



210 ANCIENT SONGS. 

To maidens vowes and fwearing 

Henceforth no credit give. 

You may give them the hearing, 7J 

But never them beleeve ; 

They are as falfc as faire, 

VnconHant, fraile, untrue ; 

For mine alaife hath left me, 

Falero, lero, loo. U 

Twas I that paid for all things, 
Twas other dranke the wine, 
I cannot now recall things. 
Live but a foole to pine : 
Twas I that beat the bu(h, $5 

The bird to others flew. 
For fhe alaflTe hath left me, 
Falero, lero, loOf 

If ev^ that dame Natare* 
For this falfe lovers fake, 9^ 

Another pleating creature 
Like unto her would make. 
Let her remember this. 
To make the other true. 
For this alaffe hath left me^ , 9$ 

Falero, lero, loo* 



12 



No 



AN C IE Nf SONG Si iii 

No riches how can raife me. 

No want makes me defpaire^ 

No miferie amaze me. 

Nor yet for want I care : ICo 

I have lofl a world it felfe^ 
My earthly heaven adue. 
Since fhe alafTe hath left m6i*. 
Faleroi Jero, loo. 



Vt. 



QRAGE CROWNED WITH CONQtJESt { 

* Or, ^ Brief Relation, hotv that Valiant Knight i 
d Heroick Champion Siir Eglamore, bra^vily fought 
thy and manfully Jle^w, a terrible ^ huge great moH' 
9US Dragon, To a ptedfant ne^ TuneJ 



>9 



)m a black letter copy in Major Pedrfons colleSiiont 
1672. The ballad ho'we'ver is much older, being 
*.d at length in a book intitled ** The melancholy 
^/.'* Lond, 1 6 15. 4/©. 

IR Eglamore that valiant knight, 
^ IVith his fa, la, lanHre doijon dilie, 
: feccht his fword and he went to fight ; 
H^ith his fa la lan^re, &c. 

, P 2 . V^« 



ai2 ANCIENT SONGS* 

As he went over hill and dale g 

All cloathed in his Coat of Male, 
fTitl; bis fa la lanarg, &c. . 

A huge great Dragon leapt out of his Deo, 

With his fa la lan^re, &c. 
Which had killed the Lord knows how many men. 

With his fa la lanStre, &C, II 

But when he faw Sir Eglamore, 
Good lack had you fecn how this Dragon did roarel 
' With his fa la lan£lre. Sec. 

This Dragon, he had a plaguy hide, 15 

With his fa la lanSlre, &c. 
Which could both fword and fpcar abide. 

With his fa la lan^re, &c. 

He could not enter with hacks and cuts. 

Which vext the Knight to the very hearts blood and 
guts, a* 

With his fa la laniire^ &c. 

All the Trees in the wood did (hake. 

With his fa la lan'are, &C. 
Stars did tremble, and men did quake. 

With bis fa la lanSlre, &c. 25 

But had you feen how the birds lay peeping, 
'Twould have made a mans heart to fall a weepingy 

With bis fa la tan^rs, &c. 

Bttt 



ANCIENT SONGS. 213 

Sut it was too late to fear^ 

With his fa la lanBre^ &c. 30 

For now it was come to fight Dog, fight Bare, 

With his fa la lanSlre, &c. 
And as a yawning he did fall,^ 
He thru ft his fword in hilt and all. 

With his fa la lan^re, &c. 3 j 

But now as the Knight in choler did burn. 

With his fa la lanSlre, &C. 
He owed the Dragon a fhrewd good turn. 

With his fa la lanSlrCt Sec, 
In at his mouth his fword he bent, j^q 

The hilt appeared at his fundament. 

With his fa la latt^re. Sec. 

Then the Dragon like a coward began to fly. 

With his fa la landre. Sec. 
Unto his Den that was hard by, 45 

With his fa la lanSIre, &c. 
And there he laid him down and roar'd. 
The Knight was vexed for his fword. 

With a fa la lanQrCy Sec. 

The Sword that was a right good blade, 59 

With his fa la lanare. Sec. 
As ever Turk or Spaniard made. 

With his fa la lanare. Sec. 

P 3 I for 



214 ANCIENT SONGS, 

I for my part do forfake it. 

And he that will fetch it, let him take it, i^ 

With his fa la lanSre, &c. 



When all this was done, to the Ale-honfe he went. 

With bis fa la lanSre, &c. 
And by and by his twopence he fpent. 

With his fa la lan^re. Sec. 60 

For he was fo hot with tugging with the Dragon 
That nothing would quench him but a whole Flag* 
gon. 

With his fa la lanSn, Sec. 

J^ow God prefcrve our King and Queen, 

With his fa la lan^re. Sec, fij 

And eke in London may be feen. 
With his fa la lanSlre, Sec. 

As many Knights, and as many more^ 

And all fo good as Sir Eglamore, . 

With his fa la, lattgtre down dilly* 70 



VII. THE 



ANCIENT SONGS. 115 



Vtl. 



THE TAMING OF A SHREW. 

From one of the Sloan MSS, in the Mufeum (No 1^89^* 
In writing of Charles the Ifts time, 

\ L you that are afTembled heiere come liden to my 
LJL fong, 

!at firft a pidon J mud crave for feare of further wrong ;' 
mull entreat thes Good wyves al they wil not angrye 

be, 
Lnd J will iing a merrye fong, &" if they thereto 

agree. 



ecaufe the fong J meane to fing doth touch them mod 
of all, ^ 

Lnd loch J were that any one w^^ me (hold chide and 

brawie ; 
have anough of that at home, at boarde, & eake ia 

bed, 
^nd once for Hnging of this fame fong my wyfe did 

breake my head* 

P 4 But 






2i6 ANCIENT SONGS. 

Bot if thes Good wyves all be pletfd, & pleafed be the 
meit, 

Jle venture one more broken pate« to fing it once 
agayne; lO 

But firft Jle tell you what its cald, for feare yoa heare 
no more, 

Tis calde the Taming of a fhrew, not often fung 
before. 

And if J then (hall fing the reft, a figne J needs mnft 
have. 

Hold but yo^ finger up to me, or hem, thats al J crave; 

Then wil J fing it w*** a harte, & to it roundelye gee. 

You know my mynde, now let me fee whether J fhal 

fing't or no. Hem, l6 

Well then J fee you willing are that J fliall fing the 
refte. 

To pleafure all thes good wyves heire J meane to do 
my beft. 

For J doe fee even by their lookes no hurte to me they 
thinke. 

And th' it chancte upon a tyme (but firft^give me a 
drinke] • 20 

Not long agoe a luftye lad did Woe a livelye lafie. 
And long it was before he cold his purpofe bring to 
pafie ; 

Yet 



ANCIENT SONGS. 217 

; at the lenth it thus fell out fhe granted his peti- 
tion^ 

at fhe wold be his wedded wyfe, but yet on thii 
condicion, 

at ihe (hold weare the breeches on for one yeare & a 

day, 25 

A not to be controld of him what fo ere ihe did or 

fxf, 
; rulde, fhee raignd, fhe had hir wil, even as (be wold 

require, 
: marke what fell out afterwards. Good wyves J you 

defy re. 

! made him weary of his lyfe, he wifhte that death 

wold come, 
d end his myferye at once» ere that the ycare was 

run ; 30 

thought it was the longefl: yeare, that was fince he 

was borne, 
he cold not the mat^ mend for he was thereto 

fworne. 

: hath the longeft day his date, for this wc al do 

know, 
hough the day be neer foe long to even fbone wil it 

goe; 

So 



2iS ANCIENT SONGS. 

So fcl! :t cu; -a- h!r a: lenth, ihe vesre wa= r.. 



"he fin. arJ mocnf. 


snd a'l 


J) 
the flsrrei, iheir riM 


hid run abo-:. 






rr.en l;c Ir^sn to re;: 


;.'i h'.my. 


life, & to hij wjfe he 


{i<. 






l:cce u;i; vp" rii^-f ! 


'. a; cr, e 


:-J, T^vvv know tne for 


}o ■■;:.:::; 






b; ftic : ;.: ;.:;J ~ : 


., r.-v. 


; io br^ Ro:t ckIk 


UtClllh-tt(..::-\.T. 


.aL:.r. r 


-r. t::s rr.=ry blowo fte 



He bet hir backe, he bet hir fyde, he bet hir hlitla, i 

and blew. 
But for all this Ihe wold aot mead, but Korfe ud « 

!l,e grew ; 
When [Ijat he faw Ihe wolJe d 

wrought hec. 
He ncwde hir op m men i 

Yighi fbe C0I4 fi 



ANCIENT SONGS. 



119 



MB that he r^w Bx wc'i no: ias=d, cor that (he 
Lher for tircikss, ccr locking up, nor ye: for want 

OfC;CI, 

' wa^ almoS i'. ii'a «'ii: end, he kaew not whst Id iott 
tbat w'' g;r.:ler.es againe hs gice hit «yre to «ooi 
t Ihe foore bid him hoide hii peice, Sc (viue it*-at 

hi: be":, 51 

I then he though: him cf a wyle, w-^ made him b* 

at red. 



: told a frend, or two of hU what he had in hi> 

_ my ode, 

ho went »-'' him into hit houfe & when they all hid 

dyode ; 

^wffe (q"" he) ihes frend* of royne, come hither 

■ ryo'good, S5 

ha vayce under yo toung, mull now be let- 




Vet :iitfn \ * ii^ "di** auk.? ' :«» -ie iacL x 5?iia 
J: >. .1 - rie.'ir.i .n.T^i. iir jzn:i*T- ^ c isa ic ace lOirr; 



VitAtvjit.1 tr.at 22" Ali will fLe void boc doe z£g 



V/?>er»t h.'r hjr^iir.d wii rlgbt glai, thai ihc bad 

changds her mycde, 
F&r from thz: tyme onto hir death (he pved both good 

& kyr.de ; 70 

Then did he take hir from the poafl, & did anbynde 

hir then. 

J wold al Shrews were fer?ed th', al good wyves fay 
Amen. 



ym. BEAUTY 



ANCIENT SONGS. 2»i 



VIII. 

EAUTY INCOMPATIBLE WITH CHASTITY. 

— // printed by Dry den in the Third Part of his MifceU 
my Poems, <where it is called ** ji nenx) Ballad^^ : nvhich 
r certainly a mi flake, the folloiving copy being given from 

MS, in the Harleian colle^ion (No 3889^ as old as 
Charles the firfts time. 

AL L the matenalls are the fame 
Of beautie & defire. 
In a faire wom^As goodly frame 
No brigtnefTe iS without a flame. 

No flame without a fire. £ 

Then tell me what thofe creatures are 
That would be thought both chad & faire. 

If one her necke her haire be fpred 

In many a curious ringe. 
Why halfe the heat that curies her head 16 

Will make her madde to be a bed, 

& do y^ tother thingc. 

Then tell me, [&c.] 

I Thougli 



t2% ANCIENT SONGS. 

Though modefly itfelfc apeare 

With blulhes in her face, I{ 

Doeft thinke y'^ bloud that dances there 
Can revel it no other where » 

Nor warme another place ? 
Then tell me [&c.] 

feo aflce of thy phylofophy, id 

What giues her lipes the balme^ 

What fpiritt giues lightning to her ey, 

& makes her breAs to fwell To high* 
Sc moyftnefTe to her palme. 

Then [&c.] 15 

Then be not nice, for that alas 

Bccrayes thy thoughtes & thee : 

I know thou louefl, & not one grace 

Adornes thy body or thy face 

But pimpes within for mee. )0 

Then tell mee what thofe creatures are 

I'hac would be thought both chaft Sc faire. 



IX. A 



ANCIENT SONGS. #1} 



IX. 
A BALLADE UPON A WEDDING. 

BY SIR JOHN SUCKLING. 

From the firft edition of the authors poems, Lomiom^ 
\\Ci, ^njo. He dyed in 1 64 1, aged 28. 

I Toll thee Dick where I have been. 
Where I the rarell things have fecn ; 
Oh things without compare ! 
Such iights again cannot be found 
In any place on Englifh ground^ . 5 

Be it at wake or fair. 

At Charing CroiTe, hard by the way 
Where we (thou know*ft) do fell our hay. 

There is a houfe with flairs ; 
And there did I fee comming down, 10 

Such folk as are cot in our town^ 

Vorty at lead^ in pairs. 

' Amongil 



124 ANCIENT SONGS. 

Amongfl ihe reft one peft'Ient fine, 
(His beard no bigger though then thine) 

Walkt on before the reft : 1 5 

Oar landlord looks like nothing to him ; 
The King (God blefte him) 'twould undo bin 
Should he go ftill (o dreft. 

At courfe-a-park, without all doabt. 

He fhould have firft been taken out 29 

By all the maids i' th' town ; 
Though lufty Roger there had been« 
Or little George upon the Green^ 

Or Vincent of the Crown. 



But wot you what ? the youth was going 2( 

To make an end of all his woing. 

The parfon for him ftaid ; 
Yet by his leave (for all his hafte) 
He did not fo much wi(h all paft 

(Perchance) as did the maid. jo 

The maid-^and thereby hangs a tale«— ^ 
For fuch a maid no Whitfon-ale 

Could ever yet produce : 
No grape that's kindly ripe, could be 
So round, fo plump, fo fofc, as fhe, 35 

Nor half fo full of juyce. 



Her 



ANCIENT SONGS. aas 

Her fikiger wss fo finally die ring 
Would not ftay on wUch they did brings - 

It was too wide a peck : 
And to £sLy truth (for out it muft) 40 

It lookt like the great collar ( j nil) 

About our young coltf neck. 

Her feet beneadi her petticoat, 
I^ike little mice ftole in and out» 

As if they fear'd the light : 45 

But, oh ! (he dances fuch a way^' 
No fun upon an Eafter-day 

Is half fo fine a fight. 

He would have kift her once Or twice. 

But fhe would not, ^e was fo nice, 5« 

She would not do 't in fight ; 
And then fhe lookt as who Ihould fay, . 
I will do what I lift to day. 

And you fhall do 't at night. 

Her cheeks fo rare a white wa^ on, 55 

No dzty makes comparifon ; 

(Who fees them is undone :) ^ 

For ftreaks of red were mingled there. 
Such as are on a Katherne pear. 

The fide that ^s next the fun. 60 



Htr 



226 ANCIENT SONGS« 



Her Ups were rad, ttd ink wat Anf^ 
Compar'd to tkat was next kcr chia 

(Some bee had ftong it ncwlf ) s 
Bot (Dick) lier eyes ie guard kcr hem 
I dnrft no ttore apon them gaae 6j 

Then an the fan ia Jnlj, 

Her month fo finall when Ihe does fytik, 
ThoaMft fwear her teeth her wotdg did hrcakf 

That they aii^^t paflage get ; 
Bot fhe fo handled ftill the matter^ 79 

They came as good as oars, or better. 
And are not (pent a whit* 

If wiibing (hould be any fin. 
The parfon himfelf had guilty bin 

(She k)okt that day fo parely) : j^ 

And did the youth fo oft the feat 
At night, as fome did in conceit. 

It would hare fpoil'd him, forely. 

Pai&on, oh me ! how I run on I 

Ther's that that would be thought upon U 

(I trow) beiides the bride ; 
The bu/inefs of the kitcbin's great. 
For it is fit that men fhould eat i 

Nor was it there deny'd. * 

• Vbhjlanfui it htb mtJpUittd snd miffriintd in the ^ngumi tM^ 



AKCIENT songs. a»7 

joft in the nick the cook knockt thrice^ 8; 

And all the waiters in a trice 
His fummons did obey ; 

Bach ferving man with difh in hand 
Marcht boldly op, like oar train*ba&d, 

Prefented and away, 90 

/ 

\ 

When all the meat was on the table. 
What man of knife or teeth waa able 

To (lay to be intreited f 
And this the very reafen was. 
Before the parfon could fay grace^ ^j 

The company was feated. 

Now hats fly off, and youths caroafe ; 
Healths firft go round, and then the honle ; 

The brides came thick and thick ; 
And when 'twas nam'd anothers healthy lOb 

I^erhaps he made it hers by fiealth« 

(And who could help it, Dick f) 

O* th* fuddain up they rife and dance { 

Then fit again, and figh, and glance t ^ 

Then dance again and kifle : tOj 

Thus fev'ral waies the time did paffir, 
Whilil every woman wifht her place. 

And ey*ry man wiflit his. 



»a» 



ANCIENT SOXGS. 



tfmtr Istiwmhapfy RroviMtimtsJ" Land* 167 1, izjw. tUck 
IgftiT. (Urre^d by Mmtktr ctfj im^ J CaileSzmt tf htyd. 
Ssmiff" 1750. I24M. Th€ miitmsl titii is ** Uftm difmc* 
ini$f WbiuhalL'^ 

in tb$ ymr 171 1 mpfemrwd m JmmH fmmfWtt^ imtifU 
*' Thg Bmllad •f TIk. Kiog fluU enjoy kis ova agan : 
With m Usrmed Cmmmeml fherempmt, at the R^f^^ tfCsft. 
Silk, diMuUtd to Jenay \fan. Bj tbe Jmthwr rf Tm 
numS ^ ri. e. Dr. WrngJI'-ff). From this prnM^kUi d 
ftnp notti hamt hetm extradfd^ 'which 'will h* mftm st the 
ind »/ the Sing, This Silk mpftart i9 hmvg item mm tfait 
ef the dry Militia^ and to bm^ve given gremt effemce hy 
ing this turn played as a wutreh " hefere his berwic 
*' in their ptrambulatitn t§ the Artillery GremndJ* 

Ai the air itjelfis mt e'very where t§ he wut mth^ msut ss 
gMMg veryfajl out of remembrance^ it has heen thmmghi pr^^ 
fit to give it a place here^ in order to render the Jishjed 
mtre cempkte* 





'JJJirrfrrri 





ANCIENT SONGS, 



2JI 





WHAT Booker doth prognofUcate 
Concerning Kings or Kingdoms * fatc,^ 
I think my felf to be as wife 
As ' he ' thacgazeth on the ikyes c 
My fkill goes beyond the depth of a Pond^ 5 

^Or RiV£RS in the greateft rain ; 
Whereby I can tell, all things will be well 
When the King enjoys his. own again. 

There's neither Swallow, PpvB« nor Dads* 

Can fore more high, or deeper wade ; ' le 

Nor Ihew a reafon from the ilars. 

What caufeth peace or civil wars : 

The man in the moon may wear out his (hoo'n^ 

By running after Charls his wain : 

Snt alPs to no end, for the times will not mend 15 

Till the King, &c. 



0.4 



FuU 



33t ANCIENT SONGS. 



FoD ibrtj jtan lUs &071] Ci 

Hatk been lus £tthen asd his 

Amd is ihac aaj oae bat He 

Tkat ia dbe Iwe ihoold ftartr be ? 20 

For wko better mxf Ac Icepcer fmaj 

Tban he chat hath foch ri^t 10 ic%b # 

Thea let's hope fix a peaoe» for the van will sol 

ceafe 

TiQ the King eDJors^ &c. 

Thoogh lor a tiiae we iee White-hall 2j 

With cobweb-hangiag? oa the wall, 

lo ftead of gold and fihrcr brave. 

Which former^ 'twas wont to hawe, 

ni^i^ fin perninie m every rooniy 

]>e!ightfal to that jmncelj train, jO 

Which again Ihall be, i^en the tiae job &e 

That the King enjoys, &c« 

Did Walker no prcdidiont lack 

In Hammords bloody altnanark ? 

Foretelliog things that woold enfne, ^j 

That all proves right, if lies be troe | 



ehmmmedfrcm torn t§ t'au, ss kf^htd tht arcmrn^AHcm 9f tk^ f^r^f* 
/« tb* ** Ltjsl S.w ^ ii is fizty. jtad » ewfy priattJ^ ^iaft «# 
EdiMkuribf sbtmt i£r/Mr 17 1 5, «pIcc^ uutMS Jevi^ sdAmmti^fufm^ 
fh0agh tfmftri&r merit r« ike re/i, it it two JkoufMmA, 

Sat 



'^ 



ANCIENT SONG Si 23J 

l^ut why fhould not he the pillory forefee^ •' 
Wherein poor Toby once was ta*ne ? " 
And alfo foreknow to th^ gallows he muft go^ 
When the King enjoys. Sec* 40 

Then [fears] avaunt ! upon ' the ^ hill 

My Hope ihall caft ' her ' anchor ilill, 

Untill I fee fome peaceful Dove 

Bring home the Branch I dearly love ; 

Then will I wait till the waters abate, ^ 

Which ^ HOW difturb ' my troubled brain, 

£lfe never rejoyce till I hev the voice. 

That the King enjoys his own again^ 

f^, 41* I'be Edinburgh e^py reaiir-^ 

TiU then upon ^rarati biU ( 



NOTES. 

I 

ft 

Vm I. '* This Booker ^was a great Fijbing^tackle maker • 
in King Charles the Firfi*s time^ and a very eminent profit - 
dent in that noble art and myftery^ by application to 'which - 
be came to ha<ve ikill in the Pepth of Ponds and Rivers,* 
eu is here nvi/ely ob/er*u^d* . , • He li<v*d at the houfe in 
Tower^Hrcetf that is now the fign 0/ the Gun, and being* 
us*d to this fedentary diverjion . • . he gre^w mighty cogita* ^ 
bnndt from 'whence a frenzy feivid on him, and he turn*d^ 
enthufiafi like one of our French propbits, and ^went about 
frognofticating the downfall of the King and Popery, 

• 

^ Pond gnd Rivers sire frhted ni froper nama in nil the eepiet* 

which 



S34 ANCIENT SONGS. 

which wef^i. firms J^fn^fr^mim ^ that tim$ ofd^. ^g 
truef Cornelius aLapide« Anglice^ Con. iStone« has given 
him the title of a Star-gazer ; but I have it from/ome of 
his contemporaries 9 that he nvas nothing of a Conjarer^ 
omiy one of the moderate min ofthofe timis, nvho 'were tooth 
emit nail for the defiruQion of the King and Retyal Fmmiljf^ 
mfhich put him upon that fort offpeculationJ"* 

V. 9* ** Swallow, Dove, andDzde^ tven mi excellent 

at this time of day in the knovoledge of the aftronomical fci^ 

ence^ as either Partridge, Parker, or . . DrrCsL{e is nfWf 

and bred up to handicraft trades as all tbefe <were* The 

firft was a Corn^c utter in Gutter-lane, nuho^from making 

a cure of Alderman Pennington*/ ijoifrs great toe ^ vtfas arfi 

up for a greqt praSiitioner in phyfick%.and fr^m thencip at 

moft of our modern quacks do* arrived at the name of a Cui^* 

ning Man. • . '. The Second ivas a Cobler /« Whitc-crpfs- 

flreet, ijuho^ nvhen Sir ft^illiam IFaUer paffed hy his ftaU 

in his nvay to attack the King*s party in Cambridgejhiret 

told him^ The Lord would fight his battles for him : 

and upon Sir IVilliam^s fuccefs^ ivas taken into the rebels 

fay, and made an Almanack maker of The laft <was a 

good innocent Fiddle- firing feller, . • • nvho being told by a 

neighbouring teacher that their mujick ivas in thejlarsf fet 

himfelf at ivork to find out thiir habitations ^ that he might 

be inftrument maker to them ; and having tuith much ode 

got knovoledge of their place of abode, *was judged by the 

Round heads fit for their purpofe^ and had a penfion affign^i 

him to make the StSLts Jpeak their meanings and jufiify the 

^llainies they voen putting in praSiiceJ* 

F^ II. "Toby Walker (Note^ Idonh affirm that hi 
voas grandfather to the famous Dr. Walkert governor ef 
Londonderry f vfbo vjas killed at the battle of the Boyn^ aid 
happened to be overfeer of the market at Ipfviich in Suffolk^ 
9» account of giving falfe evidence at an afjfixi held there) 
mnu a creature of Oliver Crom*welPsf v;hOf from a^ iee/kit 
maker on Dowgate^hill, on account of his fuJiringSf eu voas 
fretindidt in the canfe of truths vjas made colonel in the re- 
Ui ttrtnyt and advanced afterv/at^s to be one of the com- 

tmttti, 



\ 



ANCIENT. SONGS. ajf 

f'ftii of fafety. He njoas the pirfin thst at the battle of 
arfton Moor, broke iutp the. Kings head quarterst and 
^d upon his Majefifs private paper s^ nvhich afterwards 
were printed in order to render him odious to his fubjeHs \ 
and not tuithout feme reafon, judg*d to be that abandoned 
Rigid de that fe*ver*d the head of that Royal Martyr from 
his fhoulders on a public fi age before his on^n paUace gate** 

F* 34. ^' Hammon4 the Almanack maker, was n» 
manner of relation to cblonil' Hammond who had the King 
fr if oner in the IJle of IVight, but one of that name^ that ai" 
nuays put dowun in a Chronological fable 'whenfueh andfucb 
a,Royalift *was executed, by luay of reproach to them ; hy do* 
i^g of nvhich his almanatk njoasfaidto be bloody. He fwas / 
m butcher by trade, and for bis zeal to the then pretvaiUng 
feurtyp made one of tbo infpeSors rftbf'vi^ualling office.** 



XL 

PHILLIDA FLOUTS ME. 

From The Theatre of Compliments, or New Jcaelemy. 
Lond* 1689. iimo. It is mentioned by the milbwoman im 
fFaltons Compleat Angler. Lond. 1653. Svtf* — *• (Fhat 
Song *was it, J pray ? nvas it. Come Shepherds deck your 
heads: or. As at noon Dulcina refted : or. Phi lib A 
FIpOuts MB V^'-^and is -probably much older. 

The anfiuser is modern \ by A. Bradley. 

•' Dulcina ** is printed both by D*urfey tmd Percy^ 
** Come Shepherds, He.** is net known. 

OH! 



226 AlICIENT SONGS. 

OH ! what a plague ia love, 
I cannot bear it ; 
She will unconftant provp, 

I greatly fear it ; 
It io torments my mind. 

That my heart faileth ; 
She wavers with the wiodj 

As a fliip faileth : 
Pleafe her the beft I may. 
She loves ftill to gainfay. 
Alack, and well a day ! 

Phillida flouts me. 

At the fair t'other day. 

As ihe pafs'd by me» 
She looked another way» 

And would not fpy me, 
I woo'd her for to dine» 

But could not get her ; 
Dick had her to the vine^^ 

He might in treat her. 
With Daniel (he did dance. 
On me ihe wou'd not glance ; 
Oh ! thrice unhappy chance, 
Phillida flouts me. 

Fair maid be not fo coy. 

Do not difdain me ; 
I am my mother's jo^j^ 

Sweet entertain met 



ANCIENT SONGS. 137 

I ihall have, when (he dies. 

All things that's fitdng ; 30 

Her poultry and her bees. 

And her goofe fitting ; 
A pair of mattrefs beds» 
A barrel full of flireds : 

And yet for all thefe goods, 35 

Phillida flouts me. 

I often heard her fay^ 

That ihe lov'd pofies ; 
In the laft month of May 

I gare her rofes ; 40 

Cowflips and gilly-flowers. 

And the fweet lilly, 
I got to deck the bowers 

Of my dear Philly : 
She did them all difdaia, 4j; 

And threw them back again ; 
Therefore 'tis flat and plain, 
Phillida flouts me. 

Thou flialt eat curds and cream 

All the year lafting, 50 

And drink the chryftal ftream, 

Pleafant in tafling ; 
Swigg whey until yon burft« 

Eat bramble-berries ; 
Pye-lid, and paftry crufl:, 55 

Pears, plambi, and cherries ; 

Thy 



ajS ANCIENT SONGS. 

Thy gannenu fliall be thin^ 
Made of a weather's fkin : 
Tec all's not worth a pin, 

PhiUida floats me. bo 

Which way foe'er I go. 

She flill torments me ; 
And whatfoe'er I do. 

Nothing contents me ; 
I fade and pine away (ij 

With grief and forrow i 
I fall quite to decay. 

Like any fliadow : 
I Ihall be dead, I fear. 

Within a thoufand year, j6 

And all becaafe my dear 

Phillida flouts me* 

Fair maiden have a care. 

And in time take me $ 
I can have thofe as fair^ jj 

If yon forfake me : ' 
There's Doll the dairy-maid^ 

Smird on me lately. 
And wanton Winnifred 

Favours me greatly ; 8o 

One throws milk on my cloaths. 

T'other plays with my nofe ; 

What pretty toys are thofe I 

Phillida floatt me. 

She 



ANClfiNT SONCl %S9 

8he has a cloth of mine, 8$ 

Wrought with bine Coventry^ 
Which (he keeps as a figii 

Of my fidelity 5 
Bat if (he frowns On me^ 

She ne'er (hall wear it $ 90 

I'll give it my maid joan^ 

And (he (hall tear it. 
Since 'twill no better be, 
I'll bear it padently ; 

Yet all the world may fee 95 

Phillida flouts me. 



xti. 

lOHN AND lOAN: 

OR, 

A MAD COUPLE WELL MET. 

TO THB TVNB OF THE PaRATOUR. 

From an old black letter eofy in Major Pearfins collee* 
Hon, To this copy nmre fubjoinei the Utters M. P. the /«/- 
eials^ without doubt, £/* Martin Parkbr^h Grub-Jlreet 
/cribler emd gnat Ballad monger of Charlee the Firj^s 
0fnte* 

» YOU 



240 ANCIENT SONGS. 

YOU nine Caftalian Sifters 
That keep ParnaiTus hill^ 
Come down to me. 
And let me bee 
Infpired witli your ikill ; 5 

That well I may demon ftrate, 
A piece of houfhold ftoffe: 
You that are wed 
Mark what is fedd^ 
Beware of taking fauffe. \% 

A mad phantaflick couple, 
A yong man and a lafTe, 

A\ith their concent. 

And friends con fen t, 
Kefolu'd their times to pafTe Ij 

As man and wife together. 
And fo they marry'd were ; 

Of this mad match 

1 made this Catch, 
Which you that pleafe may hear. 20 

They both had imperfeflions. 

Which might haue caufed flrife 

The man would fweare. 

And domineere. 
So alfo would his wife. tf 

If 



ANCIENT SONGS* 241 

If lohn went to one alehoufe, 
loan ran vnto the next. 

Betwixt them both 

They made an oath. 
That neither would be vext. 30 

What euer did the goodman 
His wife wQttld doe the like^ 
If he was pleas'd 
She was appeas'd. 
If he would kick, fhee'd ftrik'e* 35 

If queane or flut he cal'd her, 

Shee call'd him rogue and knaue; 
If he would fight, ' 
Shee'd fcratch and bite» 
He could no victory haue* . 40 



If lohn his dog had beaten^ 

Then loan would beat her cat* 

If lohn in fcorne 

His baud would burn, 
loan would haue burnt her hat, 4^ 

If lohn would breake a pipkin^ 
Then loan would break a pot ; 

Thus he and (he 

Did both agree 
To walle all that they got« 50 



If 



^42 ANCIENT SONGS. 

If lohn would eate no viduals. 
Then loan would be as crofle. 

They would not eat 

But fau'd their meat. 
In that there was no lofle. 55 

If lohn were bent to feafting. 
Then loan was of his mind ; 

In right or wrong 

Both fung one fong« 
As Fortune them affign'd. fe 

In Tauerne or in Alehoufe, ' 
If lohn and loane did meet* 
Who ere was by 
In company* 
Might tail their humors fweet : 65 

What euer Iphn had cal'd for* 
loan would not be out-dar'd* 
Thofe that lack'd drink 
Through, want of chink 
For them the better far^d. 70 

Thus would they both fit drinking* 
As long as coine did laft ; 
l^ay more then this* 
Ere they would mifle 
Good liquor for their tafie 75 

lohn 



ANCIENT SONGS^ 143 

lohn would haue dammM his doublet. 
His cloak or any lhing» 
And loan would pawne 
Her coife of lawnCj, 
Her bodkin or her ring. 80 



If lohn were drunk, and reeled. 
Then loan would fall i'th fire. 

If lohn fell downe 

I'th midft o'th towne, 
Beewraid in dirt and mire^ 
Idan like a kind co-partner, 
Scom'd to ftand on her feet. 

But down (hee'd fall 

Before them all. 
And role about the flreet. 



$0 



If lohn had ckPd his hofl^ knaue, 
loan cal'd her hoftis whore^ 
For fuch like crimes 
They oftentimes 
Werh both thruft out of dorc, ^^ 

If lohn abus'd the conftable, 

loan would haue beat the watch ; 
Thus man and wife. 
In peace or flrife. 
Each other fought to match* 100 

R 2 But 



I 



a44 ANCIENT SONGS. 

But mark now how it chanced. 
After a yeare or more^ 
This couple mad 
All wafted had. 
And were grown very poore : 105 

lohn could no more get liquor. 
Nor loan could purchafe drink; 
Then both the man 
And wife began 
Upon their ftates to thinke* 1 10 

Thus beat with their own wepons, 
lohn thus to loan did fayv 

Sweet heart I fee 

We two agree 
The cleane contrary way $ 1 15 

Henceforth let's doe in goodneffe^ 
As we haue done in ill. 

He doe my beft. 

Doe thou the red : 
A match, quoth loan, I will. 129 

So leaning thofe mad humors 
Which them before poHTeft, 

Both man and wife 

Doe lead a life 
In plenty, peace, and reft : 125 

c Now 



ANCIENT SONGS, 245 

Now John and Joan both iolntly^ 
Doe fet &and5 to the plough. ^ 
Let all doc foe, •• ' ■ 

In weale or woCj 
And they'l do well enough* 130 



XHI. 
C O R r-D O N S SONG, 

I N 

'HE PRAISE OF A COUNTRYMANS LIFE. 

< 
■ '. • 

BY JOHN OHALKJ^II«L^^S qjJ IRE. 

From Izack WaltoHs *' Comphat Angler J" Loud, 1653. 
w, Mr. Chalkhill^ better kno'wn ms the author of Tbim 
ma and Clearchus^ 'was born and djed 

OH the fweet contentment 
The country man doth find ! 
high trolollie loliloe • 
high trolollie lee. 
That quiet contemplation J 

PoffefTeth all my mind : 
Then care away. 
And wend along with me. 

R 3 For 



146 ANCIENT SONGS, 

For courts are full of flattery. 

As hath coo oft been tri'd ; 10 

high trolollie lollie loe 

high trolollie lee. 
The city fall of wantonnefs. 
And both are full of pride : 

Then care away, K 

And wend along with me» 

But oh the honed country man 
Speaks truly from his heart, 

high trolollie lollie loe 

high trolollie lee, 20 

His pride is in his tillage. 
His horfes and his cart : 

Then care away. 

And wend along with me. 

Our clothing is good fheep ikins, 2J 

Gray ruflet for our wives, 

high trolollie lollie loe 

high trolollie lee, 
'Tis warmth and not gay clothing 
That doth prolong our lives : }0 

Then care away. 

And wend along with me. 

tea'! . The 



ANCIENT SONGS. 447 

The ploaghman, though he labor hard« 
Yet on the holy-day, 

high trolollie lollie loe 3J 

high trolollie lee. 
No emperor fo merrily 
Does pafs his time away : 

Then care away. 

And wend along with me, 40 

To recompence our tillage. 
The heavens afFord us ihowrs ; 

hightrolollie lollie loe 

high trolollie lc^« 
And for our fweet refreihments 45 

The earth affords us bowers : 

Then care away, &c. 

■ 

The cuckoe and the nightingale 
Full merrily do fing, • 

high trolollie lollie loe 50 

high trolollie lee. 
And with their pleafant roundelayes. 
Bid welcome to the fpring : 

Then care away. 

And w^nd along with me* 55 

R 4 thii 



^48 ANCIENT SONGS, 

This is not half the happioefs 
The country man Injovcs ; 

high trglollle loine Xoe 

high trolollie lee. 
Though others think tkey have t9 much, 6o 
Yet he that fayes fo lieti : 

Then conjc away, turn 

Couuc[r}y man with me* 



xiv: 

THE TWO CONSTANT LOVERS IN 

SCOTLANAi, 

O R, 

A PATTERN OF TRUE LOVE: 

— *■ ** expr^Jfed in this enfuing Dialogue % htt*tJi)eiH an Earb 
*' daughter in Scotland, and a poor Serwifgrfnan ; Jhe «- 
** fujing to marry the Lord Fenix, nvbich her Father 
'* 'would force her to take % but clante H her firfi lovi 
' •* Tomey o'ih Pots, To a plea f ant ne^ tune,** 

From a large nvhite letter Jheet, publijhed zgth May, 
1657 ; among the Kings pamphlets in the Mufeum, A 
different poem on the/ameJlQry is *well known to the curious 
in fenny'hijiories^ 



IN 



AI^CIE>TT SOKGS. 449 

IN Scotland there are Ladies fair. 
There's Ladies of honor & high degree, 
He)rdown, down a down derry ; 
But one excels above all the reft« 

And the Earl of Arundels daughter is (he. 5 
With hey down, derry down 
Lang derry down derry. 

Both Knights and Lords of great account 
Comes thither a wooing for this Ladies fake : 

It fell on a day that E. Arundell faid, 10 

Daughtcfr which of thefe lords will you take f 

Or which of them now likes thee bell ? 

Speak truth to me, but do not lie ; 
Speak truth to me, and do riot jeft. 

Who muft heir my livings when as I die ? i j 

Lord Fenix is a lord of high degree. 
And hath both lands and livings free, 

I tell thee daughter thou (halt him have. 
If thou wilt take any counfell at me. 

With that the young lady fell down of her knee, 
& trickling tears run down her eye : 21 

A.8 you are my father, and loves me dear. 
My heart is fet where it muft be. 



On 



2scy ANCIENT SONGS. 

On a vServing-man wludi is fa poor^ 

For all he hath is bat pounds three ; 2J 

He was the firft Lover that ere I had. 

And the laft I mean him for to be. 

With that her father wxs fore olFendedy 

And fad he rode at that fame tide, 
Uacill he to the Lord Feaiz came, 30 

And faid^ take thee my daughter for thy bride. 

The yong Ladle cal'd up Jack ker foot-boy 
I dare trufL no man alive bat thee ; 

'7'hou maft go my earand to Strawbery-caftle, 
To the place where Tomy och potts doth lye. 35 

And carry this letter in parchment fair; 

That I have fealed with mine own hand ; 
And when Tomey looks this letter upon. 

Be fure his countenance thoa onderfland. 

And if he either laugh or fmile, 40 

He is not forry at his heart ; 
J muil fcek a new love where I will. 

For fmall of Tomey mud be my part. 

But if he wax red in the face. 

And tricling tears fall from his eyes, 45 

Then let my Father fay what he will. 

For true to Tomey lie be alwayes. 

And 



ANCIE.NT SONGS. as* 

And thoa maft tell him by word of moutli. 
If this letter cannot be read at that tyde. 

That this day fennight 8c no longer hence, . 50 
I muft be lord William Fenix bride. 

The boy took leave of his lady gay. 

And to Strawbery Caftle he did him fail hie : 

A Serving-man did guide him the way 
To the place where Tomey oth Pots did lie, 55 

O Chriil thee fave good Tomey oth Pots, 

And Chnft thee fave as I thee fee. 
Come read this letter Tomey oth Potts, 

As thy true love hath fent to thee» 

Then Tomey he waxed red in the face, 60 

And trickling tears ran down his eyes ; 

Bat never a letter could he read. 

If he fhoald be hanged on th gallow-tree. 

Shee bid me tell you by word of mouth. 
If this letter could not be read at this tide, 65 

That this day fennight Se no longer hence 
She mail be Lord William Fenix bride. 

Now in faith, iaid Tomey, ihe is mine own. 

As all hereafter ihall underfland'S 
Lord Fenix ihall not marry her by night or day, 70 

Unlefd he win her by his own hand. 

For 



l5t ANCIENT SONGS, 

For on Gilforth green I will her meet. 
And if (he love me bid her for me pray ; 

And there I wifl lole my life fo fweet. 

Or elfe her wedding I will day. 75 

He card this boy unto accounts, 

(Think whether he loved this lady gay) 

He gave him forty (hilling for his meflage. 
And all he had was but pounds three. 

The boy took his leave of Tomcy oth Potts, 80 

Fearing that he had (laid too late*: 
The young lady did wait of his comming. 

And met him £ve miles out of the gate* 

honey- boy thou art not of age. 

Therefore thou canft both mock Sc fcdhi ; 85 

1 will not beleeve what miy love hath faid, 

UnlefTe thou on this book be fwom. 

Now in faith gay lady I will not lye. 
And kill the .book fiill foon did he : . 

One letter he could not read at that time, ' ' 90 
if he fhould have been hang'd at gallo-tree* 

He faid in faith you are his own. 

As all hereafter (hall underHand; 
Lord Fcnix (h^sM not marry you by night or day 

Unle/I'e he winn you with his own hand, 9; 



for 



ANCIENT SONGS. iSJ 

For on Gilforth green he will yon meet, 
& if you love him you muft for him pray ; 

And there he will lofe his life fo fweet. 
Or clfe your wedding he will flay. 

Let us leave talking of the boy, X09 

That with his gay lady is turned home: 

Now let us go talk of Tomey oth Potts, 
And how to his mailer he is gone» ' 

4. 

When Tomey came his mailer before. 

He kneeled down upon his knee, loj 

What tidings haft thou brought, my man. 

As that thou makes fuch courteiie. 

Chrift you fave, dear mafter, he faid. 
And Chrift you fave as I you fee. 

For Gods love mailer come read me this letter, i lo 
Which my true love hath fent to me. 

His mailer took this letter in hand. 

And looked ore it with his eye. 
In faith I am fain my man, he faid. 

As thou hail a lady fo true to thee. xx{ 

1 have a Lady true to me. 

And falfe to her He never be : 
But ere this day fennight, and no longer hence, 
I muH lofe my love through povertie. 

Lord 



jtS4 ANCIENT SONGS. 

Lord Fenix he will her have» 120 

Bccaufe he hath more wealth then I. 

Now hold thy tongue my man^ he faid. 
For before that day many a one ihall die. 

Tomey, faid he, I love thee well. 

And fomething for thee I will doo, 125 

For Strawbery caftle fhall be thine own , 

So long Bfi thou doit mean to woo* 

One half of my lands He give thee a year. 
The which will raife thee many a pound | 

Before that thou lofe thy bonny fweet-heart, 130 
Thou (halt drop angels with him to the ground. 

1 have thirty ileeds in my ftable ftrong. 

Which any of them is good indeed. 
And a bunch of fpears hangs them among. 
And a nag to carry thee fwift with fpeed. 13; 

My fute of armour thou ihalt put on. 

So well it becomes thy fair body : 
And when thou com'fl to Gilford green 

Thou'll look more like a Lord then he. 

My men ihall all rife and with thee go, 140 

And I myfelf with thee will ride : 
And many a bloody wound will we make 

Before that thou (halt lofe thy bride. 

N<W 



ANCIENT SONGS. 255 

t 

Now Chrifl reward you dear maHer, he faid, r 
* For the good will you bear to me : 14.J 

But I truft to God in a little fpace^ 
With my own hands to fet her free. 

He none of your horfes mafter^ he faid. 
For they cannot well ikill of their trade ; 

None but your gray nag that hath a cut tail, 15a 
For heell either Hand or turn again* 

One fpear mafter and no more. 

No more with me that I will take ; 
And if that fpear it will not ferve my turn. 

He fnfFer death for my true loves fake* 15; 



THE SECOND PART^ TO THE SAME TUNI. 

Early in the morning when day did fpring. 

On Gilforth green be time was he. 
There did he efpie Lord Fenix comming. 

And with him a royall company. 

Gold chains about their necks threefcore, 160 

Full well might feem fine Lords to ride ; 

The young lady followed far behind. 
Sore againft her will that fhe was a bride. 

There 



1S6 ANCIENT SONGS. 

There Tomcy pafied this lady by. 

Bat never a wcrd to her did fay : i6; 

Then iirait to Lord Fecix he is gone. 

And gires him the right time of the day. 

O Chrifl yoQ fare Lord Fenix, he faid, 

^nd Chrift voa fare as I yoa fee : 
Thoa art welcome Tomey oth Potts, be faid, 170 

A ferving man into oar company. 

O how doth thy mafter, Tomey oih PoitSs 

Tell me the trath and do not lye. 
My mader is well, then Tomey replide, 

I thank my lord and I thank not ibfte* 175 

O Chri^ yoa fave Lord Fenix, he faid. 

And Chrift yoa fare as I yon fee ; 
You may have choice of ladies enough^ 

And not take my trae love from me. 

With that lord Fenix was fore offended^ iSo 

And fail away he rode at that tide : 
^ God forbid, lord Fenix he faid, 

A ferving man fhoald hold me from my bride. 

But afterward Tomey did him meet. 

As one that came not thither to flye : 10) 

And faid lord Fenix take thon my love^ 

For I will not lofe her cowardly. 

Omeet 



ANCIENT SONGS. 157 

ifteet me here to morrow^ he faid. 

As thou art a man come bat thy ' fell/ 
And if that I come [with] any more^ 190 

The Divell fetch my foul to hell. 

# 

And fo this wedding day was ftaid. 
The lady and lords they turned home ; 

The lady made merry her maidens among» 

^ faid Tomey I wifh thou may win thy own* 19; 

Early in the morning when day did fpring. 

On Gilforth green betime was he ; 
He waited long for lord Penix comming» 

But lord William Fenix he could not fee* 

He waited long and very long, 200 

Untill the fun waxed very high. 
There was he ware of Lord Fenix coming. 

And with him other men three. 

Thou art a falfe thief lord Fenix, he faid, 

Becaufe thou break'ft thy promife with me ; 403 

Thou promifedft me to come by thy felf. 
And thou haft brought otlipr men three. 

But in regard I call thee thief, 
-Becaufe thou haft broken promife with me | 

1 vow and you were as many more, 210 
Forfaken you fhould not be» 



^. iS9. relf« 



Tbfie 



S38 ANCIENT SONGS. 

•THefe are my ineti» lord Fenix kid, 

*rhzi ^very diy do wait on me ; 
ft any of them do ftrike a (lroke» 

In faith then hanged he ihall be. 21 j 

They fetcht a race and rode aboat« 

And then they met full eagerly » 
Lord Fenix away by Tomcys body glo\v*d^ 

And he ran him qaite thorow the thigh. 

Out of his faddle bore him he did» 220 

And laid his body on the grouYid^ 
His fpear he ran thorow Tomeys thigh. 

In which he made a grievous wound. 

But Tomey quickley dart up again. 

For as he was a phiiitiah good, 225 

He laid his hand upon the wound. 

And quickly he did ftanch the blood. 

* *FulI-light]y ht leaped to hit faddle again. 
Forth of it long he did not (lay : 
For he weighed mi^e of his ladies love, 230 

Then of any life he had that day. 

They fetched a race and rode about. 

The blood in Tomeys body began to warm. 

He away by lord Fenix body glowde. 

And he ran him quite through the arm. 235 



ANCIENT SONGS. !^^ 

tout of his faddle bore him he kixh. 
Of from liis fieed that pio|iiited fo high i 

Now fife and fi^kt lord Feaix, lie £ud^ 
Or elfe yeeld ihe lady iinto nie. 

t*ii yeeld the lady unto thee> t^ 

My arm no more my fpear will guide $ 

It was never better likely to prove. 

To hold a poor fervingman from his bridc» 

But if thou wilt thus deal then with me> 

Left of this matter fhould rife any voice^ A45 

That I have gotten the vi£tory, • 
Then thou fhalt have another choice. 

Yonder is a lane of two miles long. 

At either end then ftand will we, 
Weel fet the lady in the midft, 251O 

And whether fhe come take her for me. 

If thou wilt thus dea]> faid Fenix then, 
Thou'll fave my credit and honour high. 

And whether I win her or go without her. 

He be as willing to give ten pounds to thee. 2($ 

There was a lane of two miles long. 

The lady was fet in the middle that tide. 

She laaght k made merry her maids among, 
Sc (aid Tomey oth Pots now He be thy bride* 

S Si, Now 



i6o ANCIENT SONGS. 

Now all yoo ladies of high degree, a6o 

And maides that married yet would be. 

Marry no man for goods or lands* 
UnleiTe yoa love him faithfully. 

For I had a love of my own> flie faid. 

At Strawberrie caftle there lived he, 265 

He change his name from Tomey oth Pots, 
And the yong £• of Arundell now he ihall be. 



XV. 

A WORSHIPPER OF CRUELTY. 

Fnm a MS* in tbi Harkian library , -^ 35il« *wri^ 
ten in tbt timi •/ K* Charles tbe/econd* 

YO U may vfe common fhepherds fb. 
My fighs at laft to ftormes will grow» 
And blow fuch fcoraes upon thy pride 
Will blaft all I have deified : ^ 

You are not faire whe[n] love yoo lacke, 5 
Jngratitnde makes all things blacke. 



Oh 



ANCIENT SONGS. «6i 

f 

Oh doe not for a flocke of (heepc, 

A golden fhower when as you * fleepe^' 

Or for the tales ' ambition ' tells 

Forfake the hoafe where honour dwells : ip 

In * Damons ' Pallace yoa'le ne're (hint 
So bright as in that bower of mine* 



« 



XVI. 



TOM OF BEDLAM. 

It has been already oh/ervedt ** that the Englijh bavi 
more/ongs and ballads on the fubjeS of tnadnefi than 
any of their neighbours,*^ Dr* Percy , 'whofe obfermation 
this iSf out of a much larger quantity » hasfeleSed half 
a dozen. See Reliques, FoL H* p. 350* This and tie 
follo*wing appear to have been ivritten by lAjay of burlefque 
on fuch fort of things • They are both given from an old 
mifcellany, intitled ** Le Prince d* amour ^ or the princi of 
•* Love* With a coUeSion of fongs by the wts of thi' 
'' age. London, i66m. Zvo. ** and ought , perhaps, t^ 
have had an earlyer place in the prefent clafs. 



FROM 



•i6s ANCIENt SONGS. 

FR O M the hag and hungry goblin^ 
That into rags would rend you. 

And the fpirits that (land by the naked man^ 

In the book of moons defend you : 

That of your &ye found fences j 

You n^ver be forfaken* 

Nor travel from your felves with Tom 

Abroad to beg your bacon. 

While I do iing any food, any feeding. 
Feeding, drink or cloathing, 10 

Come dame or maid, be not afraid. 
Poor Tom will injure nothing. 

* Of * thirty bare years have I 
Twice 'twenty been inraged. 
And of forty been three times fifteen i j 

In durance foundly caged. 
On the lordly lofcs of Bedlam, 
With ftubble foft and dainty. 
Brave bracelets ftrong, and whips dingdong^ 
And wholefome hunger plenty. to 

Yet did I fing, &c. 

• 
With a thought I took for Maudlin, 
And a cruze of cockle pottage. 
And a i(hing they call Skies bliCs you all, 
I fell into this doatage. 25 



Ificpt 



ANCIENT SONGS. 2I3 

I flept not fince the conqaeft. 

Till then I nqvcr waked, 

fill the rogueing boy of love, where I hy, ^. 

Me found, ^nd ftript ftark leaked. 

Yet do I iing, &c. 30 

When I (hort have (horn my fowce face. 
And fsvigg'd my horny barrel, 
I pawn'd my fkin in an oaken inn 
As a fuit of gilt apparel : 

The moons my conftant miftris, , 35 

The lowly owl my marrow. 
The flaming drake, and night-crow mak^ , 
Me mufick to my forrow. 
Yet do I fing, &c. 

The palfie plagues, thefe palfies, 40 

When I plague^ your pigs or pullen. 
Your * culvers * take, or matchlefs make 
Your chautyclear or fallen ; 
If I want provant, with Huroph[r]y • 
I fup, and when benighted 45 

I walk in Pauls with wandring fouls. 
And never am afFrightcd. 
Yet do I fing, &c. 

I know more than Apollo, 

For oft, when he lies (Ieepii\g, 5Q 

I behold the ftars at mortal wars. 

In the wounded welkin weeping ; 

• u e, Duke Humphry, fal/tly fuppoftd to bavt bad 4 monumtnt 
in St. Fault cburtb* ... 

84 Thp 



164 ANCIENT SONGS. 

The moon embrace her fliepherd. 
And the qoeen of lore her ' warrior ' ; 
While the fir ft doth horB the ftar ia the mom^ 55 
And the next the bcaTeoly farrior. 
Yet do I fing, &c. 

The Jeep^e fnap and Tedro 
Are none of Toms comradoes. 
The baud I fcom, and cut parfe fworo^ 60 

And the roaring boyes bravadoes ; 
The fober knight and gentle 
Me trace^ and toach» and ipare not* 
But thofe that crois poor Toms ry norofi* 
X)o what the panders dare not. 65 

Yet do I £ng, 8cc. 

With a hofte of forioos fancies. 

Whereof I am commander* 

With a boming fpear, and a horie of the ayr. 

To the wildemefs I wander ; yo 

With a knight of ghofts and fhadowa 

I foromon'd am to Turny* 

Ten leagues beyond the wide worlds endj. 

Methinks it is no journy. 

Yet do I fing any food* &c. 75 

K ft, fttnoi. 



XVII. TOM 



ANCIENT SONGS. a&s 



XVII. 

T O M OF BEDLAM. 

FROM the top of high Caucafas, 
To Pauls wharf near the Tower^ 
In no great haile I eafily paft 
In lefs than half an hour* 

The gates of old Bizantium 5 

I took upon my flioulders. 
And them 1 bore twelve leagues and more 
In fpighc of Turks and foldiers. 

Sigh, fing, and fob, fmg, figh, and be merry^ 

Sighing, finging, and fobbing, le 

Thus naked Tom away doth ruUji 

And fears no cold nor robbing. ^ 

From Monfieur Tillies army 
I took two hundred bannors. 
And brought them all to * Leaden ' Hall, ij 

In iight of all the tannors* 
I paft Parnaflus Ferry, 
By the hill call'd « Aganippe,* 
From thence on foot without fliooe or boot 
I paft to the Ifle of ' Shippey.' 20 

Sigh, fing, &c* 

^.15. London. 
y, t8. Aganip* 
y. sp, Shiptt 

O're 



366 ANCIENT SONGS. 

O^rc tbe Pirenean valley 

•Twixt Europe and St. Gnes[es], 

I walk't one night by fun-fhine light 

IVbidi fifteen thoufand miles is. 2j 

I landed at White Chappel, 

Near to Saint Edmonds Berry* 

From thence I ftept while Charon flept. 

And ilole away his ferry. 

Sigh, fing, &c. JO 

One Summers day at Shrovetide 
I met old Janaary, 
Being male content, with him I went 
To weep o're old Canary. 

The man ith' moon at Pancrafs 3J 

Doth yield us excellent Claret; 
Having fleerd my nofe, I fung old Rofe^ 
Tnfli, greatnefs cannot carry it. 
Sigh, fing, &c* 

I met the TurkiHi Solton 40 

At Dover near St. Georges, 

His train and him did to Callis fwim 

Without (hips, boats, or barges. 

I taught the King of Egypt 

A trick to fave his cattle ; 45 

* 

De plough with dogs, and harrow with hogs. 
You'd think it I do prattle. 
Sigh, fing, &c. 

Id 



ANCIENT SONGS. 167 

« 

In a boat I went on dry land. 
From Carthage to St. Albons, J9 

I faild to Spain, and back agaia 
In a veiTel made of whalebones. 
I met Diana hunting. 
With all her nymphs attending. 
In Turn ball Ilr€et,* with voices fwoet 5J' 

That honeft place commending. 
Sigh, fing, &c. 

Diogenes the Belman 
Walkt with his 1 ant horn duely, 
Ith' term among the lawyers throng, 16^ 

To find one that fpeaks truly. 
The Sun and Moon eclipfed 
I very friendly parted. 
And made the Sun away to ran 
fcf fear he (hould be carted, -6^ 

Sigh, fing, &c. 

Long time have I been ftudying» 

My brains with fancies tearing. 

How I might get old Paalt a hat. 

And a crofs.-cloth for old Charing. 70 

Thus to give men and women 

In cloaths full fatisfa^on, 

Thefe fruitlefs toyes robb'd me of joyes» 

And keeps my brains in action. , 

Sigh, fing, &c. ^ 75 

^ /[^iit in tbt citj, inbahitid firwurly by tbitvu aifi froftitutet* 

XVm. NEWES 
9 



168 ANCIENT SONGS. 



xviir. 

N E W E S. 

Tr$m thi colUHion at tbi end tf Li Princi d* 
1660. 

NOW gentlemen if you will hear 
Strange news as I will tell to you. 
Where ere you go both far an^ near. 
You may boldly fay that this is true* 

When Charing-crofs was a pretty little boy, 5 

He was fent to Romford to fell fwine ; 
His mother made a cheefe, and he drank up the wheyi 
For he never lov'd flrong beer, ale, nor wine. 

When all the thieves in England died. 
That very year fell fuch a chance^ 10 

That Salifbury plain would on horfeback ride, 
And Parifh-garden * carry the news to France* 

When all the lawyers they did plead 

AW for love, and not for gain. 

Then 'twas a jovial world indeed, 15 

The Blew Bore of Dover fetcht apples out of Spain. 

* Paris-Gar Jilt Hkit s tiJthfMttd h^rgMrJtn §» ibe Bsnkfida in tht 
Mur$Mib» 

When 



ANCIENT SONGS. 269 

1 landlords they did let their farms 
p9 becaufe * their * tenants paid dear« 
weather-cock of Pauls turn['d] his tail to the wlnd« 
tinkers they left flrong ale and beer. 20 

n snifers all were griev'd in mind^ 
ufe that corn was grown fo dear* 
man in the moon made Chriftmas pyes, 
bid the feven ftars to eat good chear. 

(Without a broker or canny-catcher t^ 

s Church- yard was never free, 
1 was my Lord Mayor become a hoofe thatcher, 
ch was a wondrous fight to fee. * 

\xk BazingRone did fwim upon Thames, 
fwore all thieves to be juH and true» 30 

fumnors and bailiffs were honeft men^ 
peafe and bacon thaft year it fnew. 

ixk every man had a quiet wife» 

t never would once fcold and chide, 

1 tinker of Turvey to end all flrife 3j 

fted a pig in a blew cowes hide. 

y. 18. hu. 



XIX. o 



27© ANCIENT SOKOS. 



XIX. 

O ANTHONY. 

fnm the calleSion at the end of Li Prince J*Jmtaf. 
Vbii appear* to ba*ve been at one time a pf^pular JoMg^ 
^ Tbi flea/ant WJIory of tbe Gentle Craft. 

OU R King he went to Dover, 
And fo he left the land. 
And fo his grace went over. 
And io to Collice fand. 

And fo he went to Bullin ~ { 

With foldiers ilrong enough « 
Like U^e valiant King df Cullin, 

O Anthony^ now« now, now. * 

When he came to the city gate 
Like a royal noble man» It 

He could not abide their prate. 
But he call'd for the Lady Nan ; 
He fwore chat he would have her 
And her maiden-head, he did vow 
Their ftrong walls ihould not fave her, l{ 

O Anthony, now^ now, now. 

Tantarrt 



X 



# 



ANCIENT SONGS. zjm 

Tantarra went the tromps^ 
And dub a dub went the guns» 
The Spaniards felt their thumps* 
And cry'd King Harry comes ; 20 

He batter'd their percuUis* 
And made their bolts to bow. 
He beat their men to Accmlus, 
O Aothooy, &c. 

King Harry laid about him 25 

WitJ^ fpear, and eke with fword. 
He car'd no more for a French man 
Than I do now for a t— ; 
He burll their pallafadoes. 

And bang'd them you know how, 50 

He flrapt their canvaiTadoes, 
O Anthony, &c. 

Up went the £ngli(h colour«» 

And all the bells did ring. 

We had both crowns and dollers, 35 

And drank healths to our King, 

And to the Lady Nan of Bullin, * 

And her heavenly angels brow ; ^ 

The bonfires were feen to Flufhin* 

O Anthony, &c« 40 

Our laJy of Boulogne *tpas an Image of the Blejfed Virgmt in tht 
It cbureh there, %ob'tch the fChg ordend to be demolijbed : tobat bt 
nvltb the Image does not appear ; but it is pleafanr en ttgb f Jet 
i familiar Ij our ballad maker cenverU it itU9 Anne £olyn. 

Andi 



%ji ANCIENT SONGS. 

Amd then he brovght her awtr, 

Aad here the Queen was cn>w]i'd» 

And brought with joy to Dorer^ 

And all the trumps did foond ; 

And (6 he came to ' London,' 4{ 

Whereas his grace lites now : 

God morrow to cor noble King, ocoth I, 
God morrow, qacth he, to thou ; 
And then he faid to Anthony, 

O Anthony now, now, now. 50 

T, 45. Ladov, 



f 

XX. 

AN OLD SONG ON THE SPANISH ARMADO. 

Frcm '* Wtftminfter Dr9lUry. Or, A Clmct C9Ueam 
" •/ the Newejt iongs amd Poems, Uth at Court taJ 
«• Theatres, Bj a per/on of quality. With mMtitos* 
*' London, 1672." izmo. It is frohahfy Hjery liiik M^ 
thou the date of the hook. 

SOME years of late in eighty eight. 
As I do well remember. 
It was feme fay, the nineteenth of May, 
And foroe fay in September. 

And fome fay in Seftemher. 5 

Tae. 



% 



ANCIENT SONGS. ^73 

^he Spaniih train^ lanch*d forth amain. 

With many a fine bravado > 
^heir (as theythoughtt but it proved not) 

Invincible Armado, 

Imfincibk Armada* 10 

Yhere was a little man that dwelt in Spain> 

Who (hot well in a gun a> 
JDon Pedro hight> as black a wight 

As the Knight of the Sun a» * 

Js tht Knight of the Sun di t( 

TLitkg Philip made him Admiral^ . 

And bid him not to Hay a, 
fiat to deflroy both man and boy^ 

And fo to come away a. 

And fo to comi awajf d. il0 

^heir navy was well victualled 

With bifket^ peafe^ and bacon^ 
They brought two ihips^ well fraught with whips. 

But I think they were miftaken^ 

Bia I think tbty *weri miftaktn* 25 

Their men were young» munition ftrong. 

And to do us more harm a^ 
They thought it meet to joyn their fleet. 

All with the Prince of Parma, 

All with the Prince of Parma. ^O 

^ Tbt hero of an ol4 romance tranjlattd from the Spanlfi^ itnier thi 
iitle of " The Mlrrour of Knigbtbood,** fevoral vols, 1598, Qtcm 
4f0« black httert Tbe perfon meant by Don Fodro was Alomto PsreM 
iU Gunmof Duh of Midina Sidonia, fnmander oftbt S^nififetu 

^T Thcjr 

a'- % 

:\ 

. ^ 



ty4 ANCIENT SONGS^ 

They ooafted round «boat ^ar lands 

And fo came hi by Dorer : 
But we had men fee on 'om then^ 

And threw the rafcals over, 

Jnd threw the rafcals 9Vir. ' }j 

The Queen was then at Tilbniy> 

What could we more defire a* 
And Sir Francis Drake for her fw^et (ake 

Did fet them all on fire a. 

Did fit them all on fin a. ifi 

Then ftrait they fled by fea and land. 
That one man kilPd threefcore a \ 

And had not they all ran away, * 
In truth he had kilPd more ^, 

In truth hi had killed wnn a, ^j 

llien let them neither brag nor boai}:> 

But if they come agen a. 
Let them take heed they do not fpeed 

As they did you know when sl, 

A$ they didjiu know whin a* 50 



XXI. THB 



ANCIENT SONGS. iyg 



XXI. 

THE NEW COURTIER. 
ne Tune is, Chloris fince diem art fled awajr, (fc. 

From ** Tbe New Acad$»f of Complements. Lend. 
1 67 1." lime. Cempared Ruitb a black letter copy in 
ene of Mr. Baynes's tolleSions of Old Ballads. 

UPON the Change where merchants meet, 
'Twixt Cornhil and Threadneedle-ftrect, 
Where wits of ev'ry fize are hurl'd. 
To treat of all things in the world, 

r faw a folded paper '£a;ll, 5 

And upon it, tfaefe words were wrh, 
HoFue at alL 

Thought I, if have at all it be. 

For ought I know 'tis have at me ; 

And (if the confeqaence be true) 10 

It may as well be have at you : 
Then liilen pray to what I (hall 
In brief declare, what 's writttn there : 
Have ai all. 

T a I am 



fj6 ANCIENT 80NG& 

I am a courtier, wbo, in (port. I| 

Do come from the Vtopian court. 

To whifper UMj in joor ear. 

How high we are, and what we were ; 
To tell you all woald be too much, 
Bot here and there a little tonch ; 20 

Have at aU. 



I wai^ not many yean ago. 

In tattred trim from top to toe, 

Bot now my roia'd robes are bnm'd^ 

My rags are all to ribons tom*d» 25 

My patches into pieces fall ; 

I cog a dye, fwagger and lie s 
Haiv$ at aU. 



Upon my Pantalonian pate, 

I wear a milleners eftate ; je 

But when he dons me at the courtt 

I ihew him a protection for 't ; 
Whilft he doth to protefting fall. 
And then I cry. Dam me, you lie s 

Hav$ at all. 3{ 

Since Venus fliav'd off all my hair, 
A powder'd perriwig I wear» 
Which brings me in the golden girls, . 
.Which I procure for lords and carb 1 

7 Whco 



ANCIENT SONGS. ayy 

When love doth for a cooler call» 40 

My fancy drives at maids and wives^ 
Have ai alU 



My lodging never are at quiett ^ 

Another dans me for my diet, 

I had of him in fifty-three* 4$ 

Which I forget* fo doth not he ; 
I call him fancy fellow* firrah. 
And draw my fword to run him th[oroii{;h : 
HMVf at alh 

Yet once a friend that fav'd my life, 50 

Who had a witty wanton wife* 

I did in courtefie requite* 

Made him a cuckold and a knight ; 
Which makes him mount like tennis ball, 
Whild fhe and I together crjr, 5J 

Have at all. 

But thpfe citts are fubtil flaves* 

Moft of them wits, and knowing kuaves ; 

We get their children* and they do 

From us get lands* and lordfhips too ; 60 

And 'tis moft fit* in thefe afi^airs* 
The land ihould go to the right heirs : 
Havi at alh 

T3 A 



ajS ANCIENT SONGS. 

A fouldicr I diredly hAte, 
A cavalier once broke my pate» 65 

With cane in hand he overcome me^ 
And took away my miftrefs from me $ 
For I confefs I love a wench^ 
Though Englifh, Iriih, Dutch or French^ 

Have at alL 70 

t 

A foldlers life 11 not like mine> 
I will be plump when he fhall pine : 
My projeAs carry (banger force 
Than all his armed foot and horfe ; 

What though his morter-pieces roar^ 7j 

My chimney-pieces fhall do more : 
Have at alL 

Thus have I given you in ihort* 

A courtier of Utopia court; 

I write not of religion^ 80 

For (to tell you truly) we havrnone* 

If any me to queftion call^ 

With pen, or fword^ hab nab's the wdrdj 
Home at alU ^ 



XXIL THE 




ANCIENT SONQ& tf^ 



XXII. 
THE PRODIGALS RESOLUTION! 

O K, 

MY FATHER WAS BORN BEFORE ME. 

From TbomMS Jordmu Loiliim TritfmfbtiMi* 1671I. 4/#* 
^bis Jordan was the profyfed pagtMii *writir and fce$ 
laureat for tbi city 9 and if author of tbi foUowinig piece, 
fecms to bwve fojkffed a greater Jbare rf puticm merit 
than ufually fill to the lot of hit profeffim. The title it 
prefixed, and the mufic added, from Durfeys Pills to purge 
Melancholy, Vol. i. ed. 1712. 

I AM a lufty lively lad^ 
Now come to one and twenty ; 
My father left me all he had. 

Both gold and iilver plenty ; 
Now he's in grave, I will be bravt» 5 

The ladies fhall adore me, 
I'le court and kifs, what hurt's in this f 
My dad did fo before me. 



My £ather was a thrifty fir. 

Till foul and body fundred ; 19 

Some fay he was a ufurer. 

For thirty in the hundred ; 

T 4 «« 



98(> ANCIENT SONGS. 

He fcrapt and fcratcht^ (he pinch'd ai^d patcH*4 

That in her body bore me ; 
Bat I'le let flie, good reafon why, || 

My father was bprn before mCt 



My daddy has his daty done. 

In getting fo much treafure ^ 
rie be as datiful a fon. 

For fpending it at pleafure : M 

Five pound a quart fhall chear my hearty 

Such neftar will reftore me ; 
When ladies call. Tie have at all. 

My father was born before me^ 

« 

l(dy grandam llv'd at Waihington, it 

My grandfir delv'd in ditche^ 
The fon of 0I4 John ThraOiington, 

Whofe lanthorn leathern breeches 
Cry'd, Whether go jr<, whether go ji T 

Though m^n do now adore me, |6| 

They ne're did fee my pedigree, 

I^or wl^p was born before me. 

My grandfir ftriv'd, and wiv'd 5p thrivM, 

Till he did riches gather. 
And when he had much wealth atchiev'^, 3; 

Q ! then he got my father ; 



K 27. had. pa 



m 



ANCJENT SONGS. %9t 

K 

Of happy memory cry I, 

That e^re his mother bore him^ 
I had not been worth one penny, 

iiad { been bom b^fpre himv 

To free-fchoQl, Cambridge and Grays InOf 

My gray-coat gfandiir put him^ 
Till to forget he did begin 

The leathern breech that got him ; 
One dealt in flraw, t'other in law, ^| 

The one did ditch and delve it^ 
My father (lore of fatin wore. 

My grander beggars velvet* 

So I get wealth, what car« I if 

My gcandfir were a fawyer, 50 

My father prov'd to be [a] chief. 

Subtle and learned lawyer : 
By Cooks Reports, and tricks in court[s]. 

He did with treafure dore me, 
7hat I may fay. Heavens blefs the day, 5 ^ 

My father was born before me* 

Some fay, of late, a merchant, that 

Had gotten flore of riches, 
{n's dining-room hung up his hat. 

His ftaff and leathern breechesj 60 

His 



a8a. ANCIENT SONGS. 

His (lockings garter'd ap with ftraws^ 

E're providence did ftore him ; 
His fon was iheriff of London, 'caufe 

His father was born before him. 

So many blades that rant in filk^ 65 

And pat on fcarlet cloathing. 
At firil did fpring from butter rnilk^ 

Their ancellors worth nothing t 
Old Adam and our grandam £ve» 

By digging and by fpinning» 70 

Did to all kings and princes gire 

A radical beginning. 

My father to get my eflate. 

Though felfifli yet was ilaviih» 
I'l fpend it another rate, 75 

And be as lewdly lavifh : 
From madmen, fools and knaves he did 

Litigioufly receive it. 
If fo he did, JufHce forbid 

But I to fuch fhoald leave it. So 

At playho^fes and tennis court, 

I'l prove a noble fellow, 
I'l court my doxies to the fport 

Of, O brave Punchinello ; 

rie 



ANCIENT SONGS. aSj 



I'le dice and drab^ and drink and flab^ 
No Hedlor fhall out roar me ; 

If teachers tell me tales of hell^ 
My father is gone before me. 



«S 





XXIII. 



THE TOWN GALLANT. 



tppears to be a produQUn of the nurry nign of 
Charles tho Second, There is a copy of it, *witb confix 
arable 'variations, andfome additional ft anxas, in the va« 
mble collision of Major Pearfon* 



V 



£ T us drink and be merry^ dance^ joke and re« 
joice, 

Hvik claret and ibeny^ theorbo awd rdce i 

t The 



aS4 ANCIENT SONGS. 

J 

The changeable world to our joy is unjuft^ 
All treafure's uncertain, then down with your daft j 
In frolics difpofe your pounds, (hillings, and pence, j 
For we fhall be nothing a hundred years hence. 

We'll kifs and be free with Moll, Betty and Nelly^ 
Have oyft^rs and lobfters and maids by the belly i ' 
Fifi) dinners will make a lafs fpring like a flea, 
Pame Venus, loves goddefs, was born of the fea ; le 
With her and with Bacchus we'll tickle the fenfe. 
For we (hall be pad it a hundred years hence* 

Your mod beautiful bit, that hath all eyes upon hei^ 
That her honefty fells for a hogo of honour^ 
Whofe lightnefs and brightnefs dotK fhine in fach fplea* 
dour, ij 

That none but the flars are thought &t to attend her» 
Though now ihe be pleafant, and fweet to the fenfet 
Will be damnably mouldy a hundred years hence« 

I 
Yoor Chancery- lawyer, who by fubtilety thrivoit 
In fpinning out fujts to the length of three lives, M 
Such fuits which the clients do wear out in flavery, 
Whilll pleader makes confdence t^ dpak for his knavoy. 
May boaft of his fubtilety in the prefent tenfe^ 
But Am ifi invent tu a hundred years hence. 

The ufurer, that in the hundred takes twenty, 2; 

Who wanu in his wealth, and do(h fane in his plenty, 

U74 



ANCIENT SONGS. 



s<5 



Lays up for a feafon which he ihall ne'er fee. 

The year of one thoufand eight hundred and three; 

His wit and his wealth, his learning and fenfe. 

Shall be turned to nothing a hundred years hence* j^ 

Then why ihould we turmoil in cares and in fears. 

Turn all our tranquility to fighs and to tears ? 

Let's eat, drink, and play, till the worms do comspC 

us, 
'Tis certain that Poji mortem nulla voluptas : 
Let's deal with our damfels, that we may from thence 
Have broods to fucceed us a hundred years hence. 36 




'^mmWAmL% 






XXIV. THl 



286 ANCIENT SONGS^ 



XXIV. 

THE DEAD MANS SONG, 

— '* nuhoft dwelling nuas neere unto BaJJings Hall in 
•* London. To the tune of Flying Fame.'* 

The following ballad , ginfen from an old black letter 
iofy, is inferted chiefly upon the recommendation of that 
accomplijhid fcholar and acute critic the remerend Mr. 
Thomas fVarton^ poet laureat, <who has pronounced it 
Avar thy of Ms friend Dr, Percys excellent colle£fion, AnO' 
iher motive, ivhich will not, it is bilieved, have kjs 
nveight '*with the pious, than the former nuill hceot 
•with the learned reader, and nxihich doubt lefs in fome 
meafure influenced the above reverend and ingemions gew» 
tleman in his favorable opinion of the pirfortnemci, iSf 
that it contains (no offence to Mr, S*zvedgnborg, mr aay 
tether ivho may have handled the fame fubjeS) the mofi 
authentic and particular account of the celeftial and infer' 
nal regions hitherto made public. The editor astct flattered 
bimfilf that the introduSion of fuch an arwfttl momttff 
nvhire it voas fo little expeQedy might bavi bad a fr^er 
tffe3 ^n the ihoughtlefs and infidel part of his readers ; 
but as it dots not appear that the original publication vsas 
produQive of any fuch falutary confefuencts^ be bas en* 
tirefy given mp every hope of that natwre^ being fmliy rw- 
vinced, that *' if they hear not Mofes and tie pfipbeis, 
** neither will they be perfuaded tbongb one * rift* frem 
«• the dead:' 

SORE 



% 



ANCIENT SONGS. ^ 

SORE fick» deare friends^ long tna^ I was» 
And weakely laid in bed ; 
And for hwe houres in all mens fights 
At length I lay as dead : 

The bel rung out, my fiiends came in, 5 

And I key cold was found ; 
Then was my carkafle brought from-bed^ 

And caft upon the ground. 

My loving wife did weepe full fore^ 

And children loud did cry^ 10 

My friends did inourne, yet thus they iaid. 

All fielh is borne to dye. 

My winding flieet prepared was» 

My grave was alfo made^ 
And five long lioures by juft report^ 15 

In this fame cafe I laid : 

During which time my foule did fee 
Such flrange and fearefull figlits^ 

That for to heare the fame difclos'dy 

Would banifh all delights. 20 

Yet fith the Lord reftor'd my life. 
Which from my body fled, 

I will declare what fights I faw. 
That time that I was dead. 

Methought 



§»8 ANCIENT SONOS. 

I 

Mcthooght along a gallant greentf^ i^ 

Where pleafaiit flowers fprung^ 
I cook my way, whereas I thought 

The Mnfes fweetely fung. 

The grafle was fweet, the trees fn^ faitg 

And lovely to behdld, 3d 

And full of fruit was every twig. 

Which fliin'd like gliflering gold* 

My cheerefttl heart defired much 

To taile the fruit fo faire : 
But as I reacht, a faire young man J] 

To me did faft repairc. 

Touch not (qd* he) that's none of thuie» 

But wend and walke with me. 
And fee thou marke each feverall thing 

Which I (hall ihow to thet* 40 

I wondred greatly at his words^ 

Yet went with him away ; 
Till on a goodly pleafant banke> 

With him he bad me ftay. 

With branches then of lillies white 4J 

Mine cye$ there wiped he ; 
When this was done he bad me look 

What I farrc off could fee. 

Hooked 



AtlCiENt SONGS. 9S9 

1 

I looked vkp, And Ibe at Isift 

I did a city fee, 59 

So faire a thing did never m^ii 

Behold with inortall «y«. 

Of diamqnds, peairles and predona &QAti$ 

It feem^d the walk were xiiade; 
The houfes all with beaten gold 55 

Were til'd and Overlaid. 

More brighter th^ the niorningfaii 

The light thereof 4id (hfxw> 
And every creature in the fame 

Like crowned kiilgs did goe* 6» 

The fields aboat this city faire 

Were all with rofes fet, 
Gilly-flowers and * carnations * fairii^ 

Which canker could not fret. 

And from thefe fields there did proceed 65 

The fweet'ft and pleafant'ft fmcU 

That ever living crieature felt^ 
The fcent did fo excell. 

Befides, fuch fweet triumphant mirth 

Did from the city found, ^o 

That I therewith was ravilhed^ 

My iofr did fo abound* 

V, 63. CarnatidOt 

U With 



190 ANCIENT SaNGS. 



niiifick, mirths aad mehdf. 
Princes did there embrace* 
And in my heart I kmg'd to be ^S 

Within that ioyfnll place. 

The more I gaiM, the more I migh^ 

The fight pleased me fo wdl: 
For what 1 iaw in every thing. 

My tongue can no way tclL So 

Then of the man I did demand. 

What place the fiune might b^ 
Whereas ib auny kings do dwell 

In loy and aKlody f 

Qnoth he, that bkfled place is heaven^ t{ 

Where yet thon maft not reft. 
And thoTe that do like princes walk^ 

Are men whom God hath bleft. 

Then did he tome me round aboat^ 

And on the other fide, gg 

He bad me Tiew and marke as mwtk^ 

What dkings are to be Ijpide. 



With that I &w a cole-blacke den. 

All tand with ibot and bmakt^ 
Where ftinking brimftonc bnmiag wa^ 9^ 

Which made ae like to ckodK. 



ANCIENT SONGS. 291 

An ugly creature thett I faw, 

Whofe face With knives was flaflit. 

And in a caldron of poyfonM filthy 

His ugly corps were wafht. IM 

About his necke were fiery ruffes^ 

r. i ■ 

That flam'd on eveiv fide ; 
I sJkt, and lo the young ^an faid» 
That he was damn*d for pride* 

Another fbrt then did I (he, lOe 

Whoft bpwels vipers tore. 
And grievoufly with gaping mouth 

They did both yell and rore. 

A fpotted perfon by each one 

Stood knawing on their hearts, Iia 

And this was Confcience I was told. 

That plagn'd their envious parts. 

Thefe were no Iboner out of fight. 

But ftraight came in their place, 
A fort ftiU throwing burning fire, 1 15 

Which fiell againft their fi^e. 

And ladles full of melted gold. 

Were poured down their throats. 

And thefe wer« fet (it fee m'd to me) 

In oiidft of burning boats* 120 

y 1 The 



a^ ANCIl^NT SOfiGSL 

The formoi of this comgmj 

Wu IiuU», I wa> cpU« 
Wbo bad fpr ilthy loots iakc^ 

Hti lard ^ad i^aft^ ibsld« 

For corttoufattte th^A were C0BdaM*4« 125 

80 it was told to me : 
And then metboaght another root 

Of Hd«boond« I did fee ; 

Their faces they feemM fat in figh^ 

Yet all their bones were base, 130 

And difhes full of crawling toades 

Was made their $neft fare : 

From armes, frooibv^ds, from thi^ba an4 fpctef 

With red hot pincers then« 
The fle(h was. pluckt even from the bono 135 

Of thoff vile glntfionoo^ i|i^ii«. 

On cole-blacb beds f npther ibrt. 

In ffriciiK)U0 fort did lyt. 
And unacrneath them1>nrning brandy 

Their flcfli.didl^nieaBdfijr. I4t 



With brimflone. iiercf tihear piUoi^a tb^ 
Whereon their beads were laid,. 

And fiends, with whips of glowing firH 
Their lecl^frooi %ji|M ^ 4i»id« 



Then 



Then did I fet snMicr come, i^j 

Stab'd in widi dmggen ibixkt ; 
And filth/ fiends, widi fiery darts. 

Their hearts did ^ouiid and frkkt^ 

And mighty bowles of corrupt blood. 

Was broaght for them to drink ; 15a 

And thefe men were for morther plaguM^ 

From which they could not fhrinke» 

I faw when thefe were gone away. 

The fwearer and the Her, 
And thefe were hung up by the tOiignes^ 155 

Right o'er a fhuning fire. 

From eyes, from eares, from navell 8c nofe, 

Alid froni the low^ parts. 
The blood me thought did gufliiilg ranne. 

And clodded likb meni hearts. x6q 

I afked why th^t punifliment 

Was upon fwearers laid ; 
Becaufe, quoth one, wounds, blood 8c heart. 

Was ftill the oath they made. 

And therewithall from ugly Hell 165 

Such (hriekes and cryes I heard. 
As though fome greater griefe and plague 

Had vext them afterward. 

Us S^ 



294 ANCIENT SONGS. 

So that my foal was fore afraid. 

Such terrour on me fell : 
Away then went the yoaog man quite, 
•And bad me not farewell. 



J 



\ 



»?• 



Wherefore onto my body ftraight. 

My fpirit rerumM againe» 
And lively blood did afterwards ijrj 

Stretch forth in every veine. 

My dofed eyes I opened. 

And raifed from my fwoond, 
I wondred much to fee myfelf 

Laid fo upon the ground. ^80 

Which when my neighbours did behold. 

Great feare upon them fell^ 
To whom foone after I did tell 

The newes from heaven and hell. 



XXV. THI 



ANCIENT SONGS, 295 



xxy. 



THE WINCHESTER WEDDING: 

— '* Or, Ralph of Reading and Black Be/s of the Green. 
** To a new Country Dance : or. The Kings Jigg^ 

In the old hUuk letter cofy (in the Mnfenmjfrom whici^ 
this ballad is given is a Jupplementtd fiauza^ which he* 
img of inferior merits not to be found in many copies, *md 
only added, as it Jbould feem* according to an ordinary 
fraSice of ballad printers, to Jill up the fieii, moae mi 
tranfcribed. 



AT Winchefter was a weddingj 
The like was never feen, 
'Twixt U9ty RaJph of Reading, 

And bonny black Befs of the Green ; 
The iidlers were crowding * before, j 

Each lafs was as fine as a qneen^ 
There was an hundred and more. 
For all the whole coontry came in. 

* /• r* plojiog upon their crowds orfiddlth - 

U4 Briik 



^ ANCIENT SONGS. 

Sriik Robin led Rofe fo fair. 

She look'd like a IDly o' th' vale ; \m 

And ruddy fac'd Harry led Mary, 

And Roger led bouncing Nell. 

/ 
I 

With Tommy came fmiling Katy, 

He help['d] her over the ftile. 
And fwore there was none fo pritty 15 

In forty and forty long mile. 
Kit gave a green gown to Betty, 

And lent her his hand to rife ; 
Bat Jenny was jecrM by Watty 

For looking blew under the eyes. z% 

Thus merrily chatting all day. 

They pad to the bride-houfe along. 
With Johnny and prityfac'd Nanny, 

The fairef): of all the throng. 

The bridegroom came out to meet *em, 25 

Afraid the dinner was fpoil'd. 
And uflier'd 'em in to treat 'em. 

With bak'd, and roall, and boyPd \ 
The lads were frollick and jolly. 

For each had a lafs by his fide ; 30 

But Willy was melancholly. 

For hf had a aind to the bride : 

3 ?•»«» 



^ 



ANCIENT SONGS. 19^ 

/ 

Then Phillip began her healthy 

And tum'd t heer-glafs on his Aiimbi 

Bat Jenkin was reckoned for drinking jj 

The beft in Chriftendom. 



And now thef had din'd, adranc&g 

Into the midft of the hall. 
The fidlers flruck up for dancing. 

And Jeremy led up the brawl ; 40 

Bat Margery kept a quarter, 

A lafs that is prond of her pelf, 
Caafe Arthur had ilolen her garter. 

And fwore he would tye it himfelf ; 
She flrugled, (he blulh'd, and frown'd> 4^ 

And ready with anger to cry, 
Caufe Arthur with tying her garter 

Had flipt up his hands too high« 

And now for throwing the flocking. 

The bride away was led, JO" 

The bridegroom, got drunk, was knocldng 

For candles to light him to bed ; 
But Robin, that found him filly. 

Mod kindly took him afide. 
While that his wife with Willy 55 

Was playing a[t] whooper's hide* 

AmA 



»g9 ANCIENT SONG& 

And now the warm game begins. 

The critical minute was come. 
And chatting, and billing, and kifling 

Went merrily round the room. 60 

Pert Stephen was kind to Betty, 

As blich as a birde in the fpriag ; 
And Tommy was fo to Katy, 

And wedded her with a rufh-ring ; * 
Sukey that danc'd with the cuihion, 6j 

An hour from the room had been gone. 
And Pamaby knew by her blnlhing 

That fome other dance had been done : 
And thus of fifty fair maids 

That went to the wedding with men, 70 

Scarce five of the fifty was left ye, ' 

That fo did return again. 



• Sit tbti p^lffagt fully illuftratti by Sir John Hawkint^ m m mM 
mpw ** AlVi well that endi wtll^** Aa lUfc. 1. (JobnJ^n mnd Stte- 
VMi'i Sbakfpiare, 177S, ^0/. /K. p, $0.) in which hi it vtry lesrwid, 
mtty in^nhuif sud imjbirt evtry thing bnt vity riiht» 



IS XXVI. SH ROWS BURY 



ANCIENT SONGS. 999 



• \ 



XXVI. 
8HROWSBURY FOR ME: 

B^ I K O 

t 

A Song in praife of that Famous Town« 

Which hath throughout all England gain'd renown^ 

In praife thereof, let every one agree. 

And fay with one accord^ Shrowfbury for me. 

To a Delightful New Tune : or, Sbrovffimyfn mi» 
From am oU black Utttr copy in the Pifyfian tulUSiw. 



COMB liften yoB gallants 
Of Shrowfbnry fair Town^ 
For that is the place 

That hath gained renown ; 



Tt^ 



300 ANCIENT SONGS. 

To fet forth its pralfes, j 

We all will agree ; 
Then every man to his mind, 

Shrowfbury for me. 

The merry Town of Shrowfbury, 

God blefs it Hill, lo 

For it Hands mod gallantly 

Upon a high hill ; 
It flandeth moll bravely. 

For all men to fee i 
Then every man to his mind, 15 

Shrowfbury for me* 

There's fix parifli churches 

All in that fair town. 
And fix gallant minifters. 

In their black gowns : 20 

There's twice a week market. 

For all men to fee ; 
And every man to his mind, 

Shrowfbury for me. 

O the brave bells of Shrowfburyj 25 

Merrily doth ring. 
And the gallant young men k maidj^s]. 

Sweetly they fing : 

There 



ANCIENT SONGS. ^i 

There rans a fair river» 

For all men to fee ; 5# 

And every man to his mindj, 

Shrowlbury for me. 

O the pinade of ShrowflMry^ 

Shews itfelf fUlU 
For it's mounted gallantly J) 

On a high till ; 
It ftandeth moft bravely 

In view for t^ fee | 
Then every man to his mind^ 

Shrowlbury for me. ^ 

The tradef-men of Shrowlbury 

Drive a fine trade. 
Their wives go moft gallant^ 

And bravely arayd. 
And like loving coUples 4$ 

They always agree ; 
Then every man to his mind, 

Shrowlbury for me. 

The fea-men went to M^id-ftone^ 

The jayl for to fee, f0 

And from thence to London^ 

That noble city ;, 

T&car 



< 



JOS ANCIENT SONGS. 

Thta home they returned, 
' By one. two, and three t 

And every man to his mind, jj 

Shrowlbury for me. 

The young-men of Shrowlbliry, 

Arc jovial blades, 
"When they are in company 

With pretty mudi, 6a 

They court them t^omplcatly, 

Wi'li 'omplementi free; 
Then tvcry man to hit mind, 

Shrowfbury for me. 

There*! fiftiinf; Rnd fowling jj 

At Shrowlhury Town, 
Thereof Otooting and bowling. 

Both up hill and down : 
With brave recreations 

For every degree i 70 

Then every man to his mind, 

Shrowibury for me. 

There is no man in Shnwlbniy 

Need* for to want. 
For all thing* are plenty, 7) 

And nothing is (cut ; 



ANCIENT SONGS. 303 

What e're yoa can wifh for» 

For all men is free ; 
Hien every man to his mindj 

Shrowfbury for me. to 

Then who would not gladly* 

Live in this brave town. 
Which floarifhes gallantly. 

With high renown ? 

The like of it is not 

In England to fee ; 
Then every man to his mind^ 

Shrowlbury for me. 



> 



Then brave lads of Shrowfbnryj 

Let ns be merry* 90 

Carroufe it moft freely. 

In white-wine and fherry : 
Cad np your caps bravely* 

For all men to fee* 
And ftill cry with one accord* 9$ 

Shrowfbury for me. 



uj ._. - XX vn. A 



I 



I 



304 ANCIENT SONGS. 



XXVII. 

A CARROL FOR A WASSEL-BOWL, TO BB 
SUNG UPON TWELFTH-DAY AT NIGHT. 

To the Tune of. Gallants come away. 

From a colUSiion intitleJ, ** Ne<iv Chriftmaa Carrols: 
" Being Jit alfo t» he fung at Eafter, Whitfintide, and 
^* other Fefti'val days in the yearJ^* ho date, i imo. hUuk 
letter ; in the curious Jiudy of that ever to be refpeQti 
etntiquary Mr. Anthony a Wood, in the AfiftmdiioM Mu» 
Jemn. 

A Jolly wa/Tel-bowii 
A wa£*el of good alfj 
Well fare the butler's foul^ 
Tliat fetteth this to fale i 

OurjoUy wafleL % 

Good dame here at your door 

Our wafTel we begin ^ 
We are all maidens poor» 

We pray now let us in^ 

With our waiTeL i6 



Oaf 



ANCIENT SONGS. 30s 

Our waiTel we dq fill 

With apples and with fpice. 
Then grant us your good will 

To taft here once or twice> 

Of our good waiTeh 1 5 

If any maidens Be 

Here dwelling in this houfe^ 
They kindly vsrill agree 

To take a full caroufe» 

Of our waiTel. ZO 

But here they let os (land. 

All freezing in the cold» 
Good mafter give command^ 

To eater and be bold> 

With our waiTeh lej 

Much joy into this hall 

With us is entred in. 
Our mailer, firft of all. 

We hope will now begin^ 

Of our waiTel. )0 

And after his good wife . 

Our fpiced bowl will try^ 
The Lord prolong your life> 

Good fortune we- efpy» 

For our waflel. 35 

X Some 



3o6 ANCIENT SONGS. 

Some boanty from yoor hands^ 

Our wafTel to maintain, 
We'I bay no houfe nor lands 

With that which we do gain. 

With our waiTel. 40 

This is our merry night 

Of choofing king and queen. 

Then be it your delight. 

That fomething may be feen. 

In our wafTel. 4j 

It is a noble part. 

To bear a liberal mind, 
God blefs our mailers heart. 

For here we comfort find, ^ 

With our waflel. 



And now we mufl be gone. 

To feek out more good cheer ; 

Where bounty will be ihbwn. 
As we have found it here. 
With our wafTel. 



S* 



55 



Much joy betide them all. 

Our prayers ihall be ftill. 
We hope and ever fliall. 

For this your great good will. 

To our wafTel. 60 

XXVIII. THE 



ANCIENTS ONGS. jojr 

XXVIII. 
THE BELGICK BOAR. 

To the Old Tune of Chcvy-Chafc* 

As this cotteSiion is brought dovon to and clofed hy the Re^m^ 
lution, it ivas thought not improper to conclude it nvitb m 
relation of that celebrated e*vent by fome minftrel or ballad* 
maker of the time. The following Song (though not printed^ 
it fijould feem^ till fome years after, the 'white-letter Jheet frono 
nuhich it is ginjen being dated at London 1 695) has been 
judged as curious and interefiing as any ; and, as it is affd* 
tently 'written ivith all the fidelity and candour nuith 'which a 
party matter could be 'well reprefented, fwill doubtlefs meet th$ 
readers approbation. 

It 'will be in 'vainfor the public to expeB a faithful narra^ 
ti've of this equally intricate and important affair, fo long at 
the htftorian may, by fpeaking the truth, fubjed bimjelf to fint 
and imprifonment , at the arbitrary 'will of a prejudiced ased 
unfeeling judge * , That the moft oppojite fentiments are en* 
tertained of it is e'vident from its being extolled by one party 
as the moft exalted effort of human aSion, or rather the ope* 
rat^n of Almighty po'wer ; fwhile it is claffed by an eminent 
nuriter, 'who unqueftionably fpoke the fenfe of another, am$ng 
*' the "jery nuorft effeSis that a*varice,fa3ion, hypocrify , per* 
•* fidioufnefs, cruelty, rage, madnefs, hatred, envy, malice, and 
** ambition could produce »^^ 

After all, it cannot be denyed that the ballad now reprinted 
has been treated as a libels and a perfon indiSed and punijbed 
for barely halving it in his cuftody. See the cafe of the King 
verfus Beare, Carthcws Reports, p. 407. See aljo •' Another 
^* letter to Mr, Almon in matter of libel \** a fubjeS upon 
njuhich there is no difference befween a Holt and a Scroggs. 

• Refkr to tbefintence of the two IVoodfalU^ a few fart Jinct, for inad* 
merttntly puhlljhing a paper fgned ** A South Briton^ 

X 2. GOO 



jd8 ANCIENT SONG 1 

GOD proTper long oar noble king. 
Our hopes and wifhes all ; 
A fatal landing late there did. 
In Devonfliire befalL 

To drive oar monarch from his throne, 5 

Prince Naso took his way : 
The babe may me that's newly bom^ 

The landing at Torbay. 

The ftnbbom Tarc^in void of grace^ 

A vow to hell does make. It 

To force his father abdicate. 
And then hb crown to take ; 

And eke the ro3ral in^t prince. 

To feize or drive away. 
Thefe tidings to onr (bv'reign came, 15 

In Whitehall where he lay. 

Who nnconcem'd at the report. 

At fird wonld not believe. 
That any of his royal race 

Such mifchiefs could conceive. |t 

^m time, which ripens all things, di4 

The villainy difclofi^ 
And of a nephew and a (on 

Fdrg'd oat the worft of fbe^ 

Who 



ANCIENT SONGS. 309 

Who by infernal inftind led, 25 

A mighty fleet prepares, 
liis father's kingdom to invade. 

And fill his heart with cares. 

Our gracioi|s king deiires to know. 

What his pjetenfions were, 30 

And how without his leave, he durfi: 

Prefume on landing here. 

Declaring what was deem'd amifs. 

Should foon amended be. 
And whatfoe're fhould be deiir'd, jj 

He would thereto agree. 

I 

And for a fpeedy parliament. 

He doth forthwith declare ; 
The suRLT BRUTE not minding this. 

Does to our coafl repair. 40 

Witkfeveral thoufand Belcick boars. 

All chofen rogues for fpight, 
Join'd with fome rebels, who from hence . 

And juflice had ta'jcie flight. 

Who, arm'd with malice Sc with hopes, 45 

Soon threw themfelves on (hoar ; 
Crying, our religion and our laws 

They came for to reftore. 

X 3 Then 



i 



3.10 ANCIENT SONGS. 

Then declarations Hew about 

As thick as any hail, 50 

Which, tho no word was e're made good. 

Did mightily prevail. 

We muft be Papists or be 8LAV£S^ 

Was then the gen'ral cry j 
But we'll do any thing to fave 55 

Our darling liberty. 

We'll all join with a foreign prince^ 

Againfl our lawful king ; 
For he from all our fancy M fears 

Deliverance doth bring. 69 

And if what he declares proves true^ 
As who knows but it may, , 

Were he the devil of a prince. 
We'll rather him obey. 

Then our allegiance let's cad off, 6j 

James (hall no longer guide us; 

And tho' the French would bridle us. 
None but the Dutch fhall ride us. 

And thofe who will not join with us. 

In this defign fo brave, jo 

Their houfes we'll pull down or burn^ 
And feize on what they have. 

. . Thcfi 



ANCIENT SONGS. 311 

Thefe growing evils to prevent. 

Our king his force does bend ; 
But amongft thofe he mod did truft, • 7; 

He fcarce had left 'one friend. 

O how my very heart does bleed. 

To think how bafely they 
Who long had eaten royal bread 

Their mailer did betray. $• 

And t?iofe to whom he'd been moft kind 

And greated favours fhown. 
Appeared to be the very firft 

Who fought him to dethrone. 

O CoMPTON ! Langston ! * and the reft 85 

Who bafely from him ran. 
Your names for ever be accurs'd 

By tM^ry £ngli(h man ! 

Proud Tarquin he purfues his game. 

And quickly makes it plain, 90 

He came not to redrefs our wrongs. 
But England's crown to gain. 



• Lieut, Col, Langjion was the firfi officer that deferted, with hit 
rtgimentj from the kings army at Saiijhury^ Lieut. Col, Sir Francis 
Cumptfifiy %pitb bis regimtnt, %cas of the fame party y but bad not tbt 
courage to go forward ^ itjbouldfeem, however^ that bt foon after^^ 
ward made a more fuccefsfil attempt* 

X 4 And 



312 ANCIENT SONGS. 

And o're his father's mangled fame. 

His chariot proudly drives^ 
Whilft he, good man, alcho' in vain, 95 

To pacific him flrivcs. 

Sut he ingratefal ! wou*d not hear 

His offers tho' fo kind. 
But caus'd the noble meffenger * 

Forthwith tp be confin'd. lOO 

He brings his nafty croaking crew 

Unto his father's gate, 
Pifmift his own, makes them his guard. 

Oh difmal turn of fate ! 

. And fo at midnight drives him thence, IQJ 

O horrid impious thing ! 
Wtxt fuch affronts e're offered to 
A FATHER and a king ! 

A king fo GREAT ! fo good ! fo just ! 

So MERCIFUL to alH IIQ 

His vertue was his only fault. 
And that which caus'd his fall. 

Who now is forc'd his life to fave 

To fly his native land. 
And leave his fcepter tp be graip'd 11$ 

Sy an ungracious hand. 



Earl $f Ftvirfttam* 



Hellt 



% 



ANCIENT SONGS. 313 

Hells journey-men are ftreight convened 

Who rob God of his pow*r. 
Set up themfelves a ilork-Iike king. 

The fubje£ls to devour. 120 

And to fecure his lawlefs throne^ 

Now give him all we have. 
And make each free-born English heart 

Become aBELCicK flave. 

The bar, the pulpit, and the prefs, 125 

Nefarioufly combine, 
To cry up an ufurped pow'r, ^ 

And damp it right divine. 

Our loyalty we mud melt down. 

And have it coinM anew, 150 

For what was current heretofore. 

Will now no longer do. 

Our fetters we our felves put on. 
Our felves, our felves do bubble ; 

Our confcience a meer pack-horte make, 135; 
Which now mull carry double, 

O England ! when to future times 

Thy ftory fhall be known. 
How will they blufh to think wh^t crimes 

Their ancellors have done ! 140 



But 



31+ ANCIENT SONGS. 

But after all, what have we got 

By this our dear-bought king f 
Why that our fcandal and reproach 

Throughout the world does ring. 

That our religion, liberties, 145 

And laws we held fo dear. 
Are more invaded fince this change 

Than ever yet they were. 

Our cofFers drain'd, our coin impaired. 

That litile that remains ; Ijo 

Our PERSONS sEi2i*D, nay thoughts ar.- 
raign'd. 

Our freedom now is chains. 

Our traffick ruin'd, fhipping loft. 

Our traders mod undone ; 
Our bravcll heroes facrific'd, 15J 

Our ancient glory gone. 

A fatal coflly war entailM, 

On this unhappy ifle ; 
UdIl'Ts above what we deferve. 

Kind heaven at laft does fmile i 160 

And bring our injur'd monarch hoftie. 

And place him on his throne ; 
And to confufion bring his foes. 

Which God grant may be soon ! 



GLOSSARY. 



A' 

•**••/. 40. and. 

A. /. 6"] , ab. 

Abacede. p. 9. ceafed^ did 

not attempt, ^ 
Abohr. /. 7. bought, 
Abugge. ^.'8. aby, Juffer 

for it. 
Aby. /. 6<J. fufferfor. 
Adrenche, p, 9. dro<wny be 

drowuned, 
A ferre. /. 77. afeared, a- 

fraid, 
Agynnejj. /. 20. begins 
Alaft. /• 9. tf/ /^y?, lately, 
Algate. /. 41. 
Alles. Alles cunnes res. 

Allinge /. 7. 
Ane. /. 23, a. 
An onen,/. 19. anon, forth' 

nuith. 
Ant /. 6. ^z»//. 
Apan. /. 39. i(r/0«. 
Aplyht:. Y telle yr. on [r. 

ou] aplyht. p. 10. //^// 

// you rigbt/y, perfedly^ 

juji as it itjas, 
Aquelleden. p, 21. h'iled. 
Arewe. p. ig» rtte, be vexed 

4it. 



A fad. Neuer nes afad. /. 5. 

<was ne'ver fadj ne*uer r«- 

pented him, 
A fay. p, 103. effay, trial, 

proof. Dele the firft Je- 

mi colon 
Afe. /. 9. «/• 
Aielkefe. />. 13. ^. ScU 

kefe. 
Affay./.9i. ejfay^try^provg* 
AfToygne. /. 21. e£oign^ eX" 

cu/e, delay. 
A vent. /. lOI. 
Aueril. /. 24. JpriL 
Auowerie. / 19. proteHiom* 
Avutrie. /. 69. adultery. 
Ay. /. 101. ah. 
Awe. /. 3. enue, ^ 
Ajeyn. />. 7. againft, J^cr 

nis non ajcyn ilar. /. 10. 

there is no offofing dejliiy* 

B. 

Bale, p, 28. ivrefcbedttefig 

mifery. 
Ban. /. . curfe, 
Bandoan. In hire bandoan. 

/. 24. at her commcPnd, 

Bayly, 



3i6 



GLOSSARY. 



Baylf. /. 37. 

Be. /. 12. Seen. 

Bcakc. /. 28. beauty. 

Beh. /. 29. 

Bernen. To bernen. p. 20. 

/« he hu.ntd. 
B'nes. p. 44. y7r/, cr w/i/- 

Be)). /. ^. >^ mi/Jake per- 

bap 5 for bed, ^<^^j. 
Bcp, /. 6. be. 
Bide. ^. 23. pray, 
Bigynne. /. 5. ^/'^/». 
Biheueded. /. 6. beheaded, 
Bi)j. /. S. ^f^//&, //. 
Blake, p. 2^. black, 
Blco. /. 27. colour, com" 

piexion, 
Blofmen. /. 31. bhjfcms, 
Blowe. /. 79. breathe, 
BIykycf. p» 27. Jhincth. 
Blynne. /. 5. properly, flop, 
€eafe^\ and hence, in this 
placet change, mend, gronv 
better, 
Blyoe. p, 21. quickly, in- 

Jlantly, 
Bobaunce. /. 19. boafiing, 
Bocher. /. 2?. butcher, 
Bohten. /. 18. bought, 
Bord. /. 29. the table, 
Bcro, p, 97. fledge, fure^ 

Boc forke. /. ^;. // has 
been fungejied to the editor, 
that Hot forke fnay /ignify 
the fork on ivhich the te- 
naut carryed home his fire 



% 



bote, or cuftomary alh 

ance of 'wood for firing. 
Bote, p' iTf but. 
Bote. Do bore, p, 24. ii 

better, 
Boure./. 22. alady^scham* 

ber, 
Bowndy. p, 49, 

/. 88. hound, obliged, 
Bowne. Bu(k and Bowne, 

/. 144. make ready and go, 
Brayd. At abrayd. /. 79. 

at once, cu a fudden, in 

the infant. 
Brcde. breadth, O brede 

and o leyiithe. /. 9. far 

and luide, 
Brede. /. 83. 
Breme. /. zj, 32. 
Brene. p, 45. burn, Bre- 

nynge. p» ^6. burning, 
Briddes. /. 31. birds. See 

Roune. 
Brotyll /. 98. brittle. 
Browen. /. 27. brouus. 
Brugge. /. 6. bridge, 
Bryd. p, 22. bird, 
Bryk. /. 51 breeches, 
Bue. p, 36. be, Buen. p,6. 

been Buep. p, 6. be, 
Buird^. /. 44. birds, a term 

of endearment or politenefs 

in addrejjing the fair f ex, 
Burde. /. 27. bird, maiden, 

youfig ivoman. 
Burel. /. 13. ecarfe floth ef 

a bronvn colour, 
Byd /. 36. abides, fuffers, 

Bydcno. 



f 

G L O S 
1. 

h fiydene. /. 34. pre/ently, hy 
J amsl hy, 

Byddy. p» TJ^ ^fi» invite* 
By hec. p* 9. promtfed^ 
Byreued. |/^ him wes by- 
reued. /. 1 1. that he txias 
bereaved or deprived of, 
thai luas taken aviay from 
bim, 
Byfohr. /. 13. 
By]}enche. /. lo* hethini. 

C. 

Calue. p. 4. ca!/, 

Carke. /. 29. 

Carpyng. p, 4Q. talking^ 

fpeecb, compofitioH recited 
' or repeated, 
Cawthe. /. 81. 
Caym is kinne. /. 43. Cains 

kind, 
.Caynard. p, 36. old knave ^ 

fcoundrei, &c. Sire olde 

kaynard. fFi/e of Baths 

Prologue, 
CcrtyJ. /. 51. i/r/>, voaift^ 

coat, 
Cherld. /. 37. churl, 
Chcuenreyn./, 19. chieftain y 

captain, 
Chvlderi. p, 49. (children) 

brave men, 
Clepy. /. 50. called. 
Clerk. /. 49. fcholar* 
Con. p, 6. can, 
Continaunce. p. 9. counter 

nance, behaviour* 



s A R y. 



3»7 



Cos. /. 30. kift, 

Cothc. p, 80. quoth ^ faith* 

Coujjc. /. 8. could, 

Coynte. p. 20. quaint or 
cunning, 

Crouf. p, 28. crovjd, a fori 
of f dale, 

Cu. p, 3, covj» 

Cuccu. p, 3. cuckovj. 

CurceL ^.13. kirtle, a Jbort 

^garment ; it frequently 

means a ivaifcoat, but 

here perhaps a fort of 

frock. 



D. 

Dabbe]). /• 22. knack. 
Dare, p, 29. 
Dafle. p, 133, 
Dawe. p, 37. davon. 
Daves ejes. ^.31. dayseyeSp 

or, as novj vulgarly and 

corruptly ivritten, daifes, 
De, p, 20. Dee./. 9. (Dieu> 

F.) God, 
Deawes. /. 32. ^^fw/, 
Deddeth. /. 22. did» 
Dede. p* i^* death, 
Del. pm S7* devil, 
Deme. p, 8. judge, rule, go^ 

vern f p. 32. 
Deoies, /. 32. 
Dereworfe. p, 28. 

Deieworjjliche. /. 29. 
Derne. /. 32. fecret. 
Deilaunce. p, 19, 

Dome. 



r« 



G L O S S A R r. 



Donk^b. ^ ^^. moffien. 
Dona. p. J 6. dear I? 

Douire per5. ^. ic. iwir tfr 
kAT'^nSf itnhil:*j in getural^ 

gi4€uly^ the ei»eLu€ pesn if 

Char:4wui^m. 
DouTeJj. /. 6 fear it h. 
Drawe. To drawe. /. 6. /• 

ir dravon, 
jyTcynrze, p. 9. drmaiud, 
]>roupne, /. 29. i^^^^. 
Drowc. /. 13. draijj, dravsn, 
lyrae. p. t2, dry, 
Doere. /. 7, ^r/ir. 
P tin's. /. 7. difgf, /frci^, 
Durrcn. /. j6. put.f-^fienP 
D^er, p, 76 //tf/', 4^^/- 
Dych, /. 84, dijh. 
D/hre. /. 15. 



Eche. p* 30* 

Enchefonn. For cnchcfoon. 

p, 17. ^ reafon. 
Ere. />. 141. i'^/r, inherit ^ 

poft/s. 
£rn(Je /»• 36. errand, 
KaTUcbe. /. 8. ri/^ry. Eu- 

cruchon. p. 20. everyone* 



Facche. Faccheji. 

Faie. p, 4r. «Buir- Opf £ik. 

;). 4, J. annrjr crivr. 
Falew^. n.-^^fadetk^grwas 

ytltoFiu 3r hrwmm^ i, #. <aat^ 

Falyf der /. ^a. fallamt dot. 
FinJ.c. p. iz6» fammd, 
Fars. Fare lb Jiic Eire. /. 

2Z 

Fails by. /• f 4- cUfi if. 

^K- P' 7' faiths ftmlty. 

Favn /. 69. tf^fTi 

F-ile. /. zz^fMUfrw^P 

Felle. ^. 39, >{nr. 

Fee of foce. /. 29. 

Fcnyl. ^. 32. 

F^rdciu ^. 41. ftar. 

Fcrcn. /. 9. hrubers^ 
pamitns, 

Fcrly fcle. /. 32. wtudir" 
fully mamy, in aftonij^ml 
numhert. 

Feyc. /. 2;. faitb, 

Ficlc. /. 28. /i^//. 

Fille, /. 32. 

Flemc, Ant wyht m wodc 
be flcme. /. 3J. and quite 
into the *wood he hanipnd\ 
and hanijh myfelf ivholty 
into the nvoods. ^ p, 46. 
hantjhi drive, 

Fleych. /. <|9 fiejh, 'venifen* 
So in one of K. Henry the 

2tks 



GLOSSARY. 



3«9 



Sthi leiUn to Ann Bolejne : 
And feeing my darling is 
abfent, I can no lefs do 
than fend her fome flefh, 
reprefenting my name, 
which is Hart's fleHi for 
Henry^ prognofticating, 
that hereafter, God will- 
ing, you mull enjoy fome 
of mine, &c. Appendix 
to Robert of Avejbury, p. 

354- 
Flo. /. 21. flea. 

PIo. /. 50. arroiAt, 

Fode. /. lot* 

Fon. /. 8. foes. 

Fod. /• 41. attempt, endea^ 
*uour» 

Fonde. /. 26. 

Fondement. /• 64* funda* 
mentally, 

Fong. p, 6g. take, receive. 
Nou ichttlle fonge }?er ich 
er let, p, 9. noiv I twill 
take up nvbere I before left 
off. ^ 

For thi. p, 25. for this, on 
this account, p. ifo.for this, 
therefor. 

Fore. /. 31. 

Fore. To fore. /. 46. le* 
fore. 

Foreward. /. 7. promife, co- 
venant. 

Forfare. /. 46. forfeit, lofe, 
deflroy. 

Forlore. p,Z, loft, undone. 

Forll. f.T* froft. 



Forte, p. 8. for to. To he 

pronounced as a diJjyUo' 
ble. 
For wake, p, 25. iveak, 
' ftrengthUfs, 
Foul. p. 24. bird. 
Fourfife./. 13. four times. ■ 
Fray. /. 85. 
Frelc. p. t^. frail? 
Fuger. />. 115. figure. 
Fuilaris. p. ig, fullers. 
Fyn. /. 20 end. 

G. 

Garde. /. 15. 

Gedere. /. 19. gather r af 

fimhle, 
G'e)j. /. 6. Gef. /. 33.^0- 

etb. 
Geyneft. p. 26. 
(jod. /. 8. good* 
G me. /. 11. (gr ante) grief, 

fotronxj. 
Gomen, ^. \\, games, fports. 
Gof. p. 2\. go. 
Goule. p. la goule de. /. 

21.4; ^^^^ blood. F, 
Gramejcy. p. 90. thanks. 

From 
Graut m\i. p. 4-. «w«y 

thanks. F . 
Grede. /. 91. oy^r/, mourn, 

lament, 
Greue. p, 4^, ^r/V/*. 
Grora. p. 10, grooms, men^ 
Gyn. p. 20. dtvicc or con* 

tri'Vunce. 

C) nuc. 



320 GLOSSARY. 

Cynne. p. $• Jmarts. ^tt'g^t «r g§ttim m pU 

Cy£L /• 5c- gttteji. ftnumg. 

Hcoci. f. 69. htmce. 
Henr* /. 28. /ate. 

H. Heo /. 27. >6r- 

Hcr. /. 25. 

Habbe^. /. 9. i^/rvr. Her. /. 64* Here. /• 7. 

Hafae. /• 75- ba*ueay^ever their ^ 

bitve, Herkne. /. 26. buwhrn* 

Halewen. Gcde halewen. /. Hefle. # 27. 

23. G^is faints. Het. Het bare. /• ss« ^ 

Ha!r. /. 14. i&ftfi/. 

Halue. /. 9. half, ftde* Heuedes. /. 6. hemdi» 

Hd. /. 40 them. Hcyc. p. 6. high, 

Han. /. 6. ^^ii^LY. He)Te. /. 36. eafe, 

Har. p. 41. //£//>. Hcjc. /. 10. high* 

Hardilychc. p. 19. hardVy, Hii. ^. 7. they, 

refolutely, hoUly. Him. /. 5. tkiy. 

Haftiniche. /• 21. hafiily. Hire. /. 2A. i^. 

Harrren. p, 36. attire^ ha- Ho. /. 40. Hoo. /. jOi 

^/V, clothes *ujbo, 

Hayward. /. 36. tf/x inferior Hoi. /. ^4. nvhole. 

officer of a manor or to",vH' Hold. /. 7» 

fkipt luho bad the care of Honde. /. !!• Honden. /. 

the hedges. 22. hands. 

He, /. 6. /i^rf. Honge. An honge. /• 6. 

He. *. 24. jhe> hanged. To honge. /. 6« 

Heden. /. 24. had, to hang, or he hung, 

lltt. p, 8. they. Herd. /• 29. 

Hc^ge. /. 36. hedge t thorns. Hue. /. 7. /i&ipf. 

Hem./. 6. /i&^. /. 18. tbem. Hue. /. 27. foe. 

Hemfelue. /. 9. them* Huexn. /. 22. them. 

fel'ves. Huere. p, 6. their. 

Herde. /. 49. Hendy. /. Huercc. /. 12. heart. 

12. gentle^ civil , courteous. Halles. p. 21. hills. 

fis hende. p. 28. this kind Hy. /. 23. they. 

one. An hendy hap ith- Hyrc. /. 24. her* 

abbe yhent. /. 25. 1 have 



GLOSSARY. 321 

Kreye. /. 75« crigs.- 
I. J. kyft. p. 6^. 

Kyneriche. /• 8* Jwiru^^ 
t btorc. /. 14. ^^r». /y. 

Ich. /. 5. /. Kyncjerde. /. %.fctfttr. 

Ichabbe. /. 25. Ihai/i. fcyft. /. 83» r^. 

Jcham. /• 25. I am, 
Ichot. /. 8, / 'wot, /. 26. 
Ichullc. /. 5. 1 jball or L. 

*wiU* 
Icu.men. /• 3* come, Labr, p, zz, taken. 

I.fere. /. 45. Infcrc. ^.78. LaiTe. /. lo. /5/r. 

together, at once. Lafteles. /. 27. 

Inc'fedtds. His int'fefloTs. Lauht. /. 46. /tfi/ir. 

/. 56. tbofi njubo killed Leake. /. 28. Leaurc. p» 

kim. 22. loyalty f truth t bonejij. 

Ipocrafie. /. 66. hypocrify% Lechc. /. 30. phyjician. 
loiyf* p* z%* jolly, Lede. Londe and lede. /. 

Is. p, 21. his* 23. land and people, kltig* 

Jfayne. /. 77. /ten. dom and/uhjeSs, 

pgge. /. 26. adjudge, fen" • Lef. /. 44, loving, 
tence, Leff v/orke. p, lO}. leave 0^, 

j^^ernd. Nojt oA iwernd he quiet, 

nas. /• 43* not one nuas Lefllche, Leflych. /. 27. 
^M<warned or uninvited, lovely. 

Lemon./. 30. inifirefs^fvHH^ 
heart. 
K. Lent. /• 25. 

Lenten . /• 3 1 • i!^#»f « Springs 
JCenne. /• w, fee. Leof.' My fuece leof./. 30* 

&,e))enn. /• 43. kindred, re- myfnueet hve. 
laiions. Lerrum. /• 2i« 

Keoereft. /• 23. recovereft, Les. /. 7. lying? 
Xliht. /. 46. caught, taken Lete. /. 85. forbear ^ fi^0 

OFwaj, ceafe, 

Knaae. Knawe, /. ^\* boy, Leue. /. 46. believe* 

feruant, Leue. /. 47, /, 62* /#4r> 

XniiUed. /• ztn mgreeabh, 

Y LcttcdL 



3** 



GLOSSARY. 



Leuedi. /. 25. Leoedy. p. 

12. lady. 
Leu. /. 65* 
Ley^n- /• 20. lay. 
Lboo^. /• 4« lonueth^ 
Lhode. /. %• Uud. 
Libbe. /• 6. //a;/^/. 
Loh. /• 25. laughed, 
Lokkes. /• 27. /^ri/ ^^/^ 

hair). 
Lomb. p. 4* /diw^. 
Lome, ^az lome. /. 2V 

lame of their feet ; unable 

to make ufe ef their legs for 

nuant of their heads. 
Lbme. /. 40. 
Lordynges* /• 5. firs^ maf 

tirs. 
Lordfwyk. p» 12. a noble 

traitor f 
Lore. /• S3* Loren. p. ±0. 

hjt. 
Lo(e« /. 66, praife. 
Loflbm. /. 27, Loflum. /• 

25. UififowUt lovely. 
Lomafe. /. 37. 
Lud. On hyre lud. /. 24. 

In her c<wm language. 
Lumes* /. 27. beams. 
Lurcas ende. /• 30. 
Lure. /• 27. fyre, complexion. 
Luflbmore. /. 26. l§ve/omir, 

hvelytr. 
LuBuin* /• 27. Uvefome, 

Uvely* 
LuteK /• 6. little. 



Lybr. p. 25. mlightid. 
Lyvcr. /. 132. Uvery. 
Lyues man. p. 21. 
Ly&nep. p. 5. lijlim* 



M. 

Maidry. /. 29. power. 
Make* /. 25. mate, bufband. 

Makes. /. 32. maits., 
Mande)). /• 32. mendeth, im^ 

provetb. ^ 
Mankled. /. ii. wumacledm 
Mardled. /. 37. 
Mawmentrie. /. 6^. Mab$* 

metanifm, idolatry. 
May. /• 25. moid, virgin, 

young fwoman. ^ 
Mayftry. p. 36. /. 74. 

pre-eminence, fupcriofiry. 
Me. /. II. men. 
Med. p. 3. mead, wuadtnn. 
Mede. p'6^. revmrd. 
Melle of. /. 63. nuddli, or 

ba*ve concern tmtb. 
Mene. /. 7. neoam, grieve, 

lasnent. Mene])« /. 32. 

nueut, complain. 
Menfkfol. /• 26. granfidf 

delicate. 
Merih. /. 24. March. 
Meue. /. 45 « move, go, de* 

part. 
Mihres. /. 30* migbtejt. 
Miles. /. 32. 
Mo.y. IX. m§re. 
Modi. p. iu 

Uoif. 



\ 



GLOSSARY. 



323 



/. 32. the moody, or 
mcbolj, 

p, C* fHtfi» 

/. 32. moon. 
:. /• 6. Monye* f. 9. 

non. /• 13* many men, 
Dn. C)fer monyon. /. 

/. 24. x»^. 
dc. WiJ) fwife gret 
tnde. /. 20. ijuitb a 
' ^<tf/ compatvf^ nxjitb 
t numbers of people. 
. /. 14. Mowen. /. 
•ay. 
mar'. /. 96. moum^ 

s. p. 21. )Kr^«i. 
;Ie. /. 20. mtfri&. 
e. /. 63. <//>/. 
. /. 8. moors 9 bigb* 

:)>. /. 32. 

sft. /. 28. merry eft. 
. /• 4. merry. 
IS. /. 28. mirtb, 

p, 36. 4VI//^. 

ut . /. 50. mifaavem* 
, mifcbanci* 
fcnu p* 64* 



N. 

. 35. no. Na down 
• does not fiiit dvwn. 



Naht. /• 7. naugbt, n§i 

tbing* 
Ne. /• 4. not, 
Nelle. p. 103. nvill not, 
Nete. p. gi* borned cattkw 
Nes. /, 5. ou/w ««/• 
Nis. p. 7. 1/ «tf/. 
Nolden. /. 6. tvould notm 
Nome. /. II. ivtf^/. 
Norn en. p» ig. took. 
Nonefkunnes. /. 23. 
Noud. /. 22. not. 
Nour. p. 7. not. p. 8. «f- 

Nu. /. 3. ii^«ic;. 

Nule. /. 5. nvtllnot. Nulle 

y. /. 30. ivill I not. 
N^ /. 21. /i&^r^ // ««/, 
Nys. /. 33. // »o/. 
Nyfe. p 5. ^ry^, malice, 

nMtckednefs. 



O. 

O. /. 6. on. 

O. /. 41. tf. 

Ohr. /. 9. 0iz/i&. 

Onde. /. ^. contention,fnry, 
*wickedne/s, malice. STbe 
precife difference betnneem 
ny)?e ^zW onde cannot b§ 
'well a/cert ained. 

Onethe, /, 79, fcarcely. 

Oo. /. 32. 

Or. /. 103. before, ere tboi. 

Ore. /. 30. pity, compaffim^ 
grace, favour % 

y a O^. 



324 GLOSSARY. 

OJjcr. /. 10. er. P^s. /. 7. /. 9. fd^ 

Ou. /. 9. Ow. /. 44.j0». /. 12. praife. F^k. f»yj» 

p FTonc. ^. 22. prtfin* 

' Pfeac. /. 64.. propb^,-^ 

Paruenke. /. 28. Su Per* i?i^/ ^ £/^«o/ a miftikftt 

uenke. Polecic* 

Farpur pas. /. 20. flep hj Prude. /• 20. priJe. 

flip* Prye. /. 14. look imflf 

Pelleit/?. /. 142. ialls. for. 

Pelo'. /. 66. Put falle. /. 21. pitfdL 

pfic. /. 64. perfiQ. Pycchynde Hake. /• ji* I 

i'eruenke. /. 11. thefloHver picking ft ich 9r tbonu, 

notv vulgarly calltd peri- 

ivinkle. p. 

{tnink. /. 40. pink, flower \ ^^ 

asufedintkffolloixingiH' qa , .- , 

Jtanus from Sbakfpeare : ^{J /' J«^^' f^' ^^ 

•' I am the very //W of Qi?^^^;/: 12. ^ryw/./. 14J. 

•• courtefv '* -** The ^^""'/t**' unharmed. 

courieiy. - 1 nc q^ ^^ q^^ ^ ^ 

** fioiver of Europe for ^'^ 7-^ «*/ «* r 

"his chivalry."— 5« n- returned m, r„«a,it 

Peruenke. 

Vt^. p. 7. peace. R. 
Peftiletl. /. 141. pifoL See 

Percys Reliques, i, 120. Rau^t. /. 45. fhceteh^* 

Piere. /. 6. pity^ compaj/ton, Ray. /. io3« 

clemency. Rayle^. /• 32. 

Pififg/?nye. p. loi. fwtet- Rechlefle. ^. 153. recUefit 

\ heart, heedlefj, inattemtive. 

Pode. /. Id. Rede. Token hem co rede. 

Poppynguy. p. 75. Popa- /. 15. took a^ic^ witi 

gay. p. 101. popingay or each other , coufulted tagi' 

popenjayy a parrot. ther* 

Pourraille. /. 15. peafantry. Rede. /. 6^. eedviee. 

common people y poor m Releffe. p. \\\. relief 

P^feyn. /. (^%, prefs. Remny [r. Remoy]. /• IS 

^jreue. p* ^6, prrve* remcvf, 

Reprcttc. 



» 



GLOSSARY. 



i^S 



^preae. /. 46. rtprovt, 

Rereth. /• 65. rearetb, fet' 
tetb up. 

Re))cres hnde. p, 12. 

Reae. Reue me my make. 
/." 25. ierea*ve mt cf my 
mijtrefsy take ^ her aivay 
fr$m mi. 

Reve. p, 64. Jieal (but more 
properly rob), 

Rewf*. /. 85. ///y, compaf- 
fioH. 

Rode. /. 32. colour t com- 
plexion. 

Rode. /. lor. riding. 

Roan, p, z6, fong^ 

Rooncyn. /. 20. Rouncyns. 
/. 1 9. borfes of an inferior 
Jhu cr quality f common la- 
bouring borfes. 

Roane. /. 31. fong. Briddes 
roane. the fong of birds. 

Rounes. /. 32. 

Rourh. Whare rourh. a 
miftake per baps for whare 
))oarh or |7rouh. by reafon 
*wbereof. 

Route, p. 79* about, round. 

Rybaus. p, 21. ribalds, raf 
cals, 

Ryhtc. /. 7. rigbt. 



S. 



Sacryng. /. $8. elevation of 
iik^ boft, <whitt a little bell 



is ruifgi caRei tbi Sacrit) ff 

Sahr. p. 7. 

Sample. /. 64. example. 

SachoJ?i3. /. 51. 

Sauf. /. 6^. fave. 

Saiinri;. /. 8. (fans, f.) 

<w it bout. 
Sawe. /. 6. Jpeecb, dijcotiife. 

Seiden fo jn fa we. mdde d 
. common faying of it, 
Schent. We fliall be fchent 

eiiry one. /. 80. tbercwiil 

be the devil to pay ; <wi 

Jhall till be murdered. 
Schul. Schulle. /. ^^.Jhalh 
Schytte. /. 104. Jbui. 
Scrime. /. 193. 
Scwyer. /. r i . /quire. 
Seche. /. 18. Jeei. 
Sed. /. 3. feed. 
See. Set m fee. /. 8. fet /i 
feat, fet upon a ibroni j 

thus lAje fill fay the fee of 

Rome. 
See. p. 9. regard, keep lit 

bis fight. 
Segge. /. iz. fay. 
Seiden. /. 6. faid: 
S^ker. /. 64. fun. 
Sekyrly. /. 77. certainly; 
Selde. /• 5. feldom. 
Sell. Alas ))0a fell. /. ij. 

tboA fitipktok ! 
Selkefe. A felkej>e wyfe. /♦ 

13. of a ftrakge fikpe of 
fafbion. 

Y J Semlokcft. 



3^6 



GLOSSARY. 



Semlokeft. p. 24. fiemlyejt. 
Send. Sende. /. 6. fent. 
Sere we. /. 29. /orrotM, 
Seioyne. /. 21. Saxony. 
Se])])e. p, 6. afuriuards, 
Shende. Rccke 5e not to 

make us fliende? ^. 103. 

have you no cart njubat mif- 

chief you make a body ? 
Shcnt. Thus to te fhent. 

f.%%. to be thus dijgracedy 

to be brought to thisjbame- 

ful end. 
Shere]). /. ^5. 
Shope. /.pi* made, 
Shookes. Whil him laffe]) 

f)e lyf wi]7 be long ihonkes. 

/. 16. fo long as he nvitb 

the longjbanks lifves \ /. e. 

K* Edivard L fo called 

from the length of his legs, 
Sbule. /. 21. fialL 
Shome. /. 23. Jhasne. 
Shonde. /. 14. 
Sigge. /. 39. fay. 
Sikc. /. 33. fghed. Siked. 

^/. ZO. fighed. 
Site. /. 14. citf* 
Siwed. /. 29. 
Sic. /. 29. flay. To Hon. 

f. 20. to beflain. Slowen. 

p. z\*flrw, 
• Slyt. /. 35. flide. 
Sinyte. Of fmyte. /• 12. 

fmitten off. 
So. So hht.fo. /• 22. ai 

light at. 



Solfecle. /• 28. fuMfemer^ 

foifequiuin. 
Soht. p.%. foth, truth. 
Sonde. Godes fonde. /. 

Spence. /, 103. buttery, 
Spene. p, zz, fpend, Spenc 
bred, (onfume ttiduals ; i. 
e. keeping thee in frifii 
mjouid be expenftnie to us. 
Spray. /. 24. fprigs. 
Stid. /. 40. place, 
Stont. /. 14. ftands, 
Stounde. J?^ him wesby- 
foht Jn flouode. /. 13. 
that ivas fet out or «/- 
pointed for him in a Jbert 
time, I bat ijjas to befall 
him fo foon, /. 31. afitort 
fpacty a little 'while, 
St^t. /. 35. 
Stude. p, 6. place, 
Sucre)). /. 23. f'wear. 
Su^ge. /. 8. fay, 
Sui))e. /. 23. *uery» 
Sunne. /. 13. '^». 
Suyre. /. 27. neck, 
Suyfe. p, iz. 'very 9 full, 
Svmer. /• 3. fummer, 
Sweyn^ /. 19. mam, 
Swik. /. 4* 
Swij^e. /. 20- 'uery, 
Swon. /. 25. fnxjan, 
Swycrs. p. z\, ef quires, 
Swykedom. /. 13. deceit 9 

treachery. 
Swyre* /. 25, neck* 

Syk. 



GLOSSARY. 



3if 



Syk. /. 30. /gL 

Sykyng. f. 28. Jighing. , 

T. J?. 

Teh. p. 37. 
Temed. p. 7. 
Tcnc. p, 19. /^/r. 
Tcne. /. 30. grii*u€. 
Tcone. /. 37. 

7 ah. p. 14. though, 

?c. /. 14. /. 190. thrivi* 

?enche. p, 6. think, 

?er. /. 9. njuhere, 

7eyncs. ^. g. 

7efcs, ^.27. thighs, 

Sideward. /. 13. thither^ 

bis. /. 32. /i&f/^. 

po. /. 7. /^^«. /. 13. 

*vchin, 
bo. ^. 28. thofe, 
polien. Betere is foliea 
whyle fore j^en mournen 
euermore. p, 26. it is 
hetter to fuffer a temporary 
e*vil than to mourn for e'Vir, 
bonke. /' 15. thank. 
?onkes. p, 15. 
7 rat. p, zg, threatens, 
'7reftelcoc. /. 32. throftle^ 

thrujh, 
7rcte. /. 32. 
7rowc. ^.46. thronun, 
7rumme. p. 50. a thrum is 
the fringed end of a weU" 
'Uirt nMtb* 



\ ?rye. p, 7. 
7anche. /. 23. think. 
7urh. p, 27. through. 
Token. /. 8. took^gavi. 
Tome. /. 23. 
Totowe. p. 1 39. too to9. Se$ 

p, 152. /. II. . 
Trous. p, 36. 
Tubrugge. /. 14. 
Tenement. /. 68. tormiwi^ 

martyrdom, 
Twedgp. p, 249. f'wigi, 
Twybyl. /. 36. bill, butn^ 

hill. 

U. V. 

Vch. /. 15. Uch. /. 5f. 

each, 
UerteJ). p, 4. goeth to har^ 

hour in the vert or fern. 

Sir y, Hawkins. 
Villiche. p. 14. wlsfy* 
Undergore. /. 26* 
Vr. /. 45. our, 
Vre. p. 2%. ' 

Vyhte. ^.15. 
Vylte. p. 22. illufagi^ 



Waiour. /. 11. wagef. 

Ware. /. 22. 

Warny. /. 6. ^waru, givi 

^warning or notice to, 
Waxe. p, 29. Waxen. /• 

32. Waxe))./« 33. gr9W. 

Wdc, 



p9 GLOSSARY. 

Wdc. p. 3. nA;ocd. Wormes. /. 33. firpentt. 

Webbes. /iw 19. tveBfiers, Wowc. /. 46. 

iMta^irt* Wowes. /. 32. 1:009, 

Wed. /• 36. voitd, clothes. Wowes. /. 64. 
Wedde. p» \i> g^ge, pledge, Wowef. /. 33. <woo. 

parson. Wunnc. ^.33. 

Wcl. /. 20. nftty. Wurhliche. In at J>is wufh- 
Wele. /. 32. liche won. p, 26. 

Wcndc. /. 21. go. Wyht. p, ii, man, per/on, 

Wcnde. p. II. 'wt:nedg Wyhz, p, 23-^ quite jwholfyi 

tb ugbt. altogether, *^ 

Wende. p. t^. Wyife. /. 7^. nvijh. 

W^rtden. >. 6. Went. /. Wyflbker. /. 23. wi/^r,«*ri 

88. n/ueened, thought > 'wifely. 

Weole. p* 33. Wyte, p. 15. guard. 

Wet. /. 14. u^ha$. Wyte. /. 12. ixrooi;. 

Wext. /. 90. nxiaxed, granvn. Wycer, /. 25. w//^, i«9<^tr- 
Wlftrtore. /.' 25. nvhster. i^fg, 

Whofc. p. 6. ivho/o ; It ^eA 

fyUahle: X. 

Whyle fore. /. 26. See j:»o- 

licn. Xal. /. 50. Jhall. Xalt- /, 
Willerdome. /. 68. nvilfuU 50. ^z?//. 

«//} ? Xnl. >. 50. /^ij//. 
Witte. /. 77. i^cw. 
WlytcJ). p. 32. 

Woderouc. p, 32. Y, 

WoIle)». /. 8. ay/. 7. , 

Wolt. Chryft wok. /. 115. Y. /. 22. i*. 

luould to Chrift. Ybate. /. 11. 

Won. /. 25. /. 26. Ybe. /. 6. httu. 

habitation, p. 29. njoan, Ybounde. As y go ibrc ]^<% 
Won. p. 88. wont, pra^ice, bounde. /. 51. 

cuftom, YbrCd. /. 6. burned, 

Wonges. /. 25. • Ycahr. /. 7. caught. 

Worchc. p. 23. w*ri, «<i?. Ychalbe. /. 25. I Jhall bk. 

Wore. /. 25. Ychot. /. 7. J ivct, 

Worhliche. /• 28. Ycore. /. 8. chojcn, 

Ycud, 



GLOSSARY. 



3^ 



Tcud. /. 6. 

Ydcmcd. /. 12* judged, fen- 

fenced, 
Ydyhr. /. 10. dight, drejfedy 

fetp placed y put, 
Ycwe. /. 71. give. 
Yhent. /. 25. caught or got" 

ten, 
Yherden. p. 20. heard, 
Yheryed. /. 27. 
Yknawe. p-. 6, know, 
Ylahr. /. 7. taken, as in a 

net or fnare, ^ 
YIent. /. 25. 
Yloren. /• 36. loft, 
Ymak. /• 25. tnade-, 
Yq. /. 20. km, 
Ynemned. /. 8. named, 
Ynoh. /• 25. enough, 
Ynuile. p, 26, J wiji not, 
Youen. /• 70. gi<ven. 
Yoyc. /. 115. joy, 
Ypefc. Ypreje. /. 31. / 

praj, 
Yrn. /. 10. Yrncne. p, 15. 

iron, 
Ys. p, 6. his. 
Yflake. p, 29. 
Yftyked. p, 20. flicked, 
Yfuggc. /. 6. //y. 



Yruhr. /. 12* ^ 

Ywraht. /. 27. nurought^ 

formed, 
Yjyrncd. /. 25. 



parked jarc. p, 45. prepared 

ready, 
»efe. p, %, if, 
lelpe. /. 51. j'/i^, ^tfo/f* 
•erne. /. 8. exercifef 
fer. ^. 38. ^erc. /. T^yts^. 

^eris. /. 38. years ^ 
>ere. /. 26. rr^, hefort. 
►eue. ^cwc; /. 50. ^/w. 
►eynes. To feynes. jp* 21. 

againft, 
>ev. /. 104. ^'0if. 
leje. /. 37. 

>ol. /. 81. }lr/f, Chriftmas. 
>one. /. 49* j'flit. 
►ongej). /. 8. fingeth P 
>ore. ^. 25, 30. 
»ouy. /. 51. gi<ven, ^Thi 

ijuord yoven is ftill retained 

in the leafes granted by tbt 

Dean and Chapter of ^^- 

minfler. 



%• The power of the letter ^t «/ '^^ heginning tfafyllahle^ 
is the fame as that ofY\ tn the middle of one, it hii$ fff* 
juently the power of GH. 






1 



ADDITIONAL 



ADDITIONAL NOTES. 



Pige I*. 

JT tdfl* fire Raaf of fondwycb.] Hi noa$ «flf 0/ the juJIUa rf th§ 
^ ' Kingt B$neb im 1289. ^^tb Ed. I. 

t^» 149* fire Joh^o Abel.] Ht vas made a Bartn cftbt Bxeiefmr, 
yh Ed, 11. 131s* 

Pifc 38. 

mmmmUtm to have no other record—*] The editor mat led iwte tkit 
$^niM by tbe miflaken date 0/ 1288, at nobieb year be conelmded bh 
amaminetioM of '* tbe ^nnalt of Ireland,'"' Since thejheet tuat printed 
off bowever, be bat again eonfulted them, and findt " Sir Peter 3er» 
** miagbam,** or •* Symgebam,]* or •* Piert Brymegbam" frequently 
mentioned fybfequtnt to ibat period* And 

** MCCCVIII, On tbe fecond of the idei of April [i. e. tbo 
" 14/ib daf of that montb] died the Lord Peter de Bermio^anii • 
*^ noble chaiDpioo ag ainft the Irifh.** 

Tbe editor confej/et bit inability to reconcile tbit date noitb tbefecnd 
fg»ma in tbe ballad* 

Page 4.6. 

Lokt pt pS laupe beo brenynge briht:] An allufion to S, Mgt* 
tbiWt €. 25. 

Page 54. 

Tbat tko inki of Bneter vtat aSuaVf interred at PUfhy^ ^itt apteaf 
Jhm M^eever^ wbo, /peaking of tbe collegiate cburcb there, fay t, *' Kjpon 
** Mf of the porti of a difmemhred monument, cartlejly caft here and 
'* there in tbe hody of tbe churchy I found tbefe words : 

** Here lyeih lobn Holland, Erie of Exceter, Erie of Huntiogtont 
<* gad Chambcrleyne of England. Who dyed ** 

Ancient Fnneraii Monaments, p« 637. 



ADDITIONAL NOTES. 331 

Page 55- ^ 
" Sft the Officium Dcfunftonim in ttt Roman Brtviary* Skelspn, in bis 
' *« Boke cf Philip Sfanoiv,^' maktt afimlar ufe ofiu 

•^* After allijince the book was printed off, the editor bat fatiified 

b'mftlfy that tbis. ballad was ivritten, not on tbe conf piracy againjt 

'Venry IV. but on tbe deatb of JVdliam de IdFolej Duke of Suffolk, ivb» 

%uas taken and bebeaded by tb' captain of a fbip called ri^f .Nicholas or 

• TH I Tower, in May 1450, when it appears to bave been compojcd^and 

. is corfequently to be regarded, as afatire upon tbe minifters or court party of 

tbat time* As tbe miflake could not be properly reffiftd even.bycanctling 

'tbefheety it mufi remain till a future editio/t* 

Page 62 y note* 

Tbe reference for tbefe couplets, which Mr. Barrington has quoted from 
memory, Jkould^ave been either to.,Hearnes edition of fValter Hemiugfordp 
'Vol. a, pp, 487, 488, or to ff^e«ds Hiftoria et Antiquitatei Univerfati* 
'Uxonieniis, p. 222 } where they are thus given : 

Wit hath wonder that reafoa cannot ikan 
How a moder is mayd, and God it man. 

l.evc rtafon, beleve the wonder ; 
Belef hath maftry, & reafon is under. 

Tbe champion of tbe orthodox was Dn Tbomat Gafcsigne^ of Oxford* 
Reginald Pecoek, the heretical Jbifhop of Cbefter, had fucb a high opiniom 
•f the original couplet, as to carry it about him, and Jbevf it in bii con- 
^rtement to all vjfitors. This right reverend prelate was in the mcji 
promijing way imaginable to be converted into a faggot, but he bad the 
prudence to recant his errors in good time ; *ivhich bis biographer ispi'eafid /• 
call " an unhappy iijlance of human weaknefs and frailty,^' {See bis Life 
by Lewis, pp, 231, 241.) Had this daring genius, ivho would have a 
man conjent to be burnt alive for a conundrum, ever Jnuffed a candle with 
Ms fingers ? 

Page 107. 

In tbe Hyndford collcBion, a' MS. in the Advocate:^' Library, Edin- 
s iurgh, compiled by one Bannatyne in 1568, Followis a poem or ballad 
(by ane Inglifma) of a wenche \vt chyJd, which may f:rve to elucidate 
tbe meaning of littil hngtx.^^^Tbe frji fiar.xa is as follows : ' ' ^ 

Be chance hot evin this vy' l^utber!^ day. 

As J did walk allon , 
J hard a maid in grit effiay 
Makind a rcwtfall mon, 

Quhat grief on h.r did linger: 
V pfF greif.aod pane fcho did complane» 
For icbo certane cryid and maid mane, 
O lord my litcill fingo: ! 

That 



•33* ADDITIONAL NOTES. 

That *' ptneb'mg hy the Uttle f*'j • *' v^ax formerly •* a f\ice of nn* 
rous dalliance*^ apptars from a note in Jobnjon and Stuiotnses Shak- 
ffeare, edit. 1785. tnh v. /». 330. 

Page 163* 

CamOf in hi% Survey of ConnvaUf Lnndcn^ i6o2» ^to» folm ijj* 
^aii'tng cf the tcwn and inbahitanti of Ftwey^ has the fo//oiwinf 
nvcrds : ** Moreouer the proweffe cf om Nicholas^ fonne to a wddow^ 
*< neere Foy, is defkanted vpon, in an o/d three mans * fingf* namely f 
** how be fought brauely at Jea^ with John ' Dory (a Genovfeyf at l 
•* conitSfure ) Jet forth by lohn the French king^ and (after much bhtuU 

' ** Jbed on both fdea) tookey and Jlew himj in reuenge of the great ramine% 
*^ and crueltie, which be bad fore committed^ vpon the Engiijbmem 

■*V goods and bodies*** 

It is fcarcely worth mtntioning that the only king of France of the 
/ tiame of John was taken prifoner at the battle of FoiAers, and died in 
. the Savoy y anno 1364* 

Page 176. 

This fongf with Jome trifinz variations, is to be found in the Gentle^ 
' mans Magazine for May 1784, p. 335, in an account of a ^^ Droll 
*• Cujiom of elefiing a Mayor of Randwic,** near Stroud in C/oucefter" 
fhire. Should the prefent colleSion ever have the gifod fortune to fail 
inta the hands of ** the clerk of the parijhy' he will find be was mif- 
taken when he informed the gentleman to nvbom be gan't a copy of the 
f.ngrjhat " it bad never been written bcfsreJ" The tur.€ is prtbubly that 
if Slneen Dido or Troy Town, 

Page igz* 

In the editors eolleSiion is a fomewbat different ballad upon the famefub^ 
jecif intitled " Sir Hugh in the Grimes downfall, or a ntwfong made om 
* *• Sir Hugh in the Grime, who was bang*d for ftealing the Bift>7f$ 
• ** mare ;" it begins. 

Good lord John Is a buntlog gone. 



Mr. 
" Ml 



Page 245. 

'• Chalkhill was the contemporary and friend ofSpenfer 5 ** Coridsttf 
^y** thaefr, belongs to the preceding clafs, * 

DifTertatlony p. lii« * 

The paffage here cited from' Barelaj has no particular reftrince to thi 
manners of Knglaad^ being a clofe tranjfation of bis Latin original. 



THE END. 



H-Wy